Matt Calkins of The Seattle Times won first place in the Associated Press Sports Editors 2015 contest in column writing for the 75-175,000 circulation category.
Calkins, whose body of work included a column about a man who credits Marshawn Lynch for helping him lose 170 pounds, will be presented a first-place plaque at the 2016 APSE banquet. The banquet and awards dinner concludes the APSE Conference June 22-25 at The Omni in Charlotte, N.C.
Calkins collected five of the six first-place votes and finished with 57 points. Columnists from The Record (Woodland Park, N.J.) took second and third place. Tara Sullivan finished with 40 points and one first-place vote, while colleague Bob Klapisch finished third with 39 points.
Sports editors in the 75-175,000 category submitted 42 entries. The contest is open to APSE members. Click here to join.
Contest chair Tommy Deas numbered each entry, assuring they had been stripped of headlines, graphics, bylines and any other element that would identify the writer or news organization.
In late February and early March, preliminary judges at the APSE Winter Conference at Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., selected a top 10, with each judge ranking the entries in order from 1 to 10 separately on a secret ballot. Entries were given 10 points for a first-place vote, 9 points for second and 8 points for third place, and so on. The final 10 were given to a second judging group, which ranked the entries 1-10 in the same fashion. The winner and final rankings are determined by tallying the ballots.
Columns were judged based on style, writing quality, originality and local appeal. Each organization submitted five columns per writer and two entries were permitted. There was no restriction on subject matter and no requirement that they appear regularly.
The top 10 are listed below with links to writers’ Twitter pages, APSE member websites and winning entries:
- Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times, five first-place votes, 57 points
Marshawn Lynch ‘saved my life,’ says man who lost 170 pounds
As Seahawks lose games, Kam Chancellor is losing fans
Why Bremerton coach Joe Kennedy’s stance on postgame prayer is admirable
With Hope Solo in goal, it’s hard for me to get excited for Reign’s title match
- Tara Sullivan, The Record (Woodland Park, N.J.), one first-place vote, 40 points
Eddie Jordan’s Rutgers journey is in the books
At Liberty’s Media Day, Isiah Thomas as annoying as ever
Rutgers coach Kyle Flood on the hot seat, but problems run much deeper
Mets realize dream, reach first Fall Classic since 2000
Friend of the Giants becomes part of the family
- Bob Klapisch, The Record (Woodland Park, N.J.), 39 points
A-Rod’s milestone delights the Stadium
Mets’ 16-13 win over Braves in 1985 an instant classic
Yankee Bryan Mitchell’s nightmare — I’ve been there
Yogi Berra, a true baseball hero, leaves legacy of compassion
Alcohol problem should be Sabathia’s No. 1 concern
- David Climer, The Tennessean (Nashville), 36 points
Back to face Predators, Barry Trotz comes full circle
Preds’ Poile sees success in year after eye injury
For Brandt Snedeker, it’s all about green jacket
Titans owners should do us a favor and sell the team
Steve Spurrier, Phillip Fulmer found common ground amid rivalry
- Larry Stone, The Seattle Times, 35 points
Let Beast Mode be: Why I’ve changed my mind about Marshawn Lynch’s silence
Super Bowl trophy yanked from Seahawks’ hands
Seahawks made mistake by drafting Frank Clark
The amazing sporting life of George Hill, stat man behind 2 of TV’s legendary sportscasters
Attending Army-Navy game a truly moving, memorable experience
- Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), 34 points
Champions aren’t always determined by who wins the game
High school reunion: Jacket’s journey soon will lead to its rightful owner
Cache players say their coach tried to injure an opponent; believe them
Nothing was more compelling on opening night than Kevin Durant vs. Kawhi Leonard
Baker Mayfield and Baillie Burmaster: Love Bedlam style
- Scott Fowler, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, 26 points
Panthers’ Cam Newton fortunate only reputation was injured in camp fight
Panthers should not re-sign Greg Hardy even after dismissal
Move the fans back and slow the cars down after another Daytona crash
Michael Jordan’s kiss symbolized all Dean Smith meant
Are Panthers on the verge of a miracle?
- Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), 23 points
Why Oklahoma’s football team is the wrong messenger in the protest against a racist fraternity video
Why Baker Mayfield is like Russell Westbrook
Binger, Johnny Bench still tightly linked even 50 years later
Why the College Football Playoff is shunning the working man
Oklahoma City Thunder: Why history doesn’t seem to be on Scott Brooks’ side
- Ron Borges, Boston Herald, 21 points
How Darrelle Revis, Patriots used each other
Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach at his best in the ring
Ken Casey, from music mogul to boxing promoter
Robert Kraft perilously close to becoming today’s Al Davis
Wins, not words, fuel Tom Brady
- Jeff Jacobs, Hartford (Conn.) Courant, 19 points
By Cursing In Media, Geno Takes It A Little Too Far
True Or Not, Cheating Label Sticks To Patriots
In Battle Of His Life, Danny Deitz Inspires Simsbury
