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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association announced the results of its annual writing and photography contest Thursday. There were five writing categories in two divisions based on circulation size, as well as photography awards in one category. The contest included submissions from the 2021 calendar year and was judged by OPSWA members from around the state.

 

Earning Writer of the Year honors were Curt Conrad from the Richland Source in Division 1 and Rob McCurdy from the Marion Star in Division 2. Julie Billings from the Pike County News Watchman earned a first-place finish in game action photography,

 

Writers and photographers were judged on a body of work that included three submissions per category.

 

The OPSWA membership roster now stands at 204 writers and photographers around the state, which marks the most in its 49-year history. Founded in 1972, the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association works to support and enhance the coverage of high school sports in Ohio and to recognize superior writing among sports journalists. In 2010, the OPSWA partnered with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to create a website, establish electronic communications and increase its membership and recognition.

 

The OPSWA website is located at http://www.ohsaa.org/news/OPSWA and includes the membership directory, officers information, hall of fame inductees and other updates.

 

DIVISION 1 – Curt Conrad, Richland Source  

DIVISION 2 – Rob McCurdy, Marion Star  

 

Two divisions based on circulation size. Point totals for Writer of the Year: 1^st Place = 8 points, 2^nd = 6 points, 3^rd = 5 points, 4^th = 3 points. Number of placers dependent on number of entries in each category.

 

1. Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal

2. Aaron Blankenship, PressProsMagazine.com

3. Curt Conrad, Richland Source  

4. Eric Frantz, MaxPreps.com/Dayton Daily News

 

1. Bailey Johnson, Columbus Dispatch

2. Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal

3. Curt Conrad, Richland Source

4. Jeff Gilbert, Dayton Daily News

 

1. Bailey Johnson, Columbus Dispatch

2. Tom Nader, Ravenna Record-Courier

3. Randy Roberts, Defiance Crescent-News

4. Jim Naveau, Lima News

5. Steve Blackledge, PressProsMagazine.com

 

1. Tom Nader, Ravenna Record-Courier

2. Steve Blackledge, PressProsMagazine.com

3. Aaron Gross, Defiance Crescent-News

 

1. Curt Conrad, Richland Source

2. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier  

 

Runner-up: Bailey Johnson, Columbus Dispatch (16 points)

 

 

1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star

2. Matt Horn, Fremont News Messenger

3. Lonnie McMillen, Upper Sandusky Daily Chief-Union

4. Scott Halasz, Xenia Daily Gazette

5. Aaron Dorksen, Holmes County Bargain Hunter

 

1. Matt Horn, Fremont News Messenger

2. Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman

3. Jarrod Ulrey, Columbus ThisWeek News

4. Aaron Dorksen, Holmes County Bargain Hunter

5. Scott Halasz, Xenia Daily Gazette

 

1. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette

2. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector

3. John Behm, Cleveland Lutheran High School Association

4. Aaron Dorksen, Holmes County Bargain Hunter

 

1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star

2. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette

3. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector

 

1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star

2. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector

3. Jarrod Ulrey, Columbus ThisWeek News

 

Runner-up: Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector (17 points)

 

 

1. Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman

2. Erin Caldwell, Sandusky Register