News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.
For Immediate Release – April 20, 2017
Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Announces 2016 Award Winners
Steve Blackledge, Aaron Dorksen, Rob McCurdy and Todd Stumpf earn Sportswriter of the Year awards
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association held its annual state meeting Wednesday at the OHSAA office, including a media Q&A session with OHSAA Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross, discussion of submitted topics and announcing the 2016 writing and photography contest award winners (see below).
Earning “Sportswriter of the Year” honors in their respective divisions were Steve Blackledge from the Columbus Dispatch (Div. 1), Aaron Dorksen from the Wooster Daily Record (Div. 2), Rob McCurdy from the Marion Star (Div. 3) and Todd Stumpf from the Medina Post (Div. 4). The contest, which received 589 entries from 63 contestants, consisted of articles and photos from the 2016 calendar year.
The OPSWA membership roster now stands at 157 writers and photographers around the state, which marks the most in its 45-year history. OPSWA members serve as judges in the contest.
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.
Certificates were handed out to contest placers, while the Writers of the Year each received an inscribed plaque with pen. The contest was judged by 34 OPSWA members from around the state.
2016 OPSWA SPORTSWRITERS OF THE YEAR
DIVISION 1 – Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
DIVISION 2 – Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
DIVISION 3 – Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
DIVISION 4 – Todd Stumpf, Medina Post
2016 OPSWA Writing Contest, Division and Category Results
Point Totals: 1st Place = 6 points, 2nd = 4 points, 3rd = 3 points, 4th = 2 points, 5th = 1 point. Categories receiving less than 20 entries awarded three places, categories receiving 20-39 entries awarded four places and categories receiving 40 or more entries were awarded five places. The four divisions were based on circulation size.
Division 1
Division 1, Investigative/Enterprise (10 entries)
1. Changing Landscape: Conference Shakeup Begins This Fall - Curt Conrad, Richland Source
2. Is It Time For HS Basketball to Enact a Shot Clock - Joe Scalzo, Canton Repository
3. Should Ohio Baseball Teams Adopt Pitch Counts? - Joe Scalzo, Canton Repository
Division 1, News (19 entries)
1. Former Oak Hills Teacher and Wrestling Coach Dick Roche Remembered - Mike Dyer, WCPO.com
2. Ever-Changing OCC Realigns, Adds Division - Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
3. Big Ten Approves Friday Football Games; Area coaches upset - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald
Division 1, Feature (24 entries)
Tie-1. Intense Environments - Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
Tie-1. Raising The Bar - Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
Tie-3. Bad Breaks Lead to Big Things for Manley - Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
Tie-3. She’s Tenacious - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal
Division 1, Column (17 entries)
1. Parents, Arrogance Soil Title Game - Tim Rogers, JJ Huddle
2. Gurney Stood Firm in Face of Adversity - Curt Conrad, Richland Source
3. Public Schools Take Stand - Tim Rogers, JJ Huddle
Division 1, Game Story (29 entries)
Tie-1. Sister Ousts Sister in Regional Final - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald
Tie-1. Paul Does It All for Aquinas - Joe Scalzo, Canton Repository
3. Late Kick Wins It - Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
Tie-4. So Close Means So Little to Irish - Tim Rogers, JJ Huddle
Tie-4. Dream Ending - Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
Division 1 Writer of the Year – Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch
(Two first place finishes, one second place finish, two third place finishes and one fourth place finish)
Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch – 20.5
Joe Scalzo, Canton Repository – 12
Curt Conrad, Richland Source – 10
Tim Rogers, JJ Huddle – 10
Division 2
Division 2, Investigative/Enterprise (4 entries)
1. Where Have all the Wrestlers Gone? - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
2. Less Drops in the Bucket? - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier
3. Decade of Dominance: Waynedale Wrestling - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
Division 2, News (23 entries)
1. Smithville Non-Renews Longtime Volleyball Coach - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
2. Cupp Signs With Buckeyes - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier
Tie-3. Stranger than Fiction Matchup Becomes Reality - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
Tie-3. The King Steps Aside - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier
Division 2, Feature (30 entries)
Tie-1. Wildcats Keep Plugging Away - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier
Tie-1. Mechanicsburg Junior Returns to Football After Crash - Jeff Gilbert, Springfield News-Sun
3. Former H-L Star Kline Back on Track at Crestview - Michael Burwell, Findlay Courier
4. A Special Helmet for H-L’s Krupp - Jamie Baker, Findlay Courier
Division 2, Column (13 entries)
1. 2015-16 Bay Rockets Are The Complete Package - Jon Behm, Lorain Morning Journal
2. Bowl Game a Fitting End to Demario McCall’s Career - Jon Behm, Lorain Morning Journal
3. Riders’ Conway Goes Out a Winner - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
Division 2, Game Story (35 entries)
1. Edison Rallies Past Perkins for SBC Title - Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register
Tie-2. Last-Second Win - Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register
Tie-2. Offensive Line Stars in Mechanicsburg High-Powered Run Game - Jeff Gilbert, Springfield News-Sun
Tie-4. Miller City Tops McComb in 11 Innings - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier
Tie 4. Two Will Wrestle for State Title - Jamie Baker, Findlay Courier
Division 2 Writer of the Year - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record
(Two first place finishes, three third place finish)
Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record – 20.5
Dave Henneman, Findlay Courier – 16.5
John Behm, Lorain Morning Journal – 10
Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register – 9.5
Division 3
Division 3, Investigative/Enterprise (19 entries)
Tie-1. Irish Recall Golden Years - Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
Tie-1. The Fall and Rise of Cavalier Softball - Derrick Webb, Chillicothe Gazette
3. Remembering the Redmen - Scott Cottos/Jamie Baker, Fostoria Review Times
Division 3, News (40 entries)
Tie-1. MOAC Remains Intact, Expands - Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
Tie-1. To Play or Not to Play - Scott Cottos, Fostoria Review Times
3. Weather Delivers KO to Baseball Schedule - Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate
4. LCL Votes Against Expanding at This Time - Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate
5. Licking All-Stars Rally Around Injured Teammate - Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate
Division 3, Feature (52)
Tie-1. Harding Manager’s Special Senior Night Game Goes Viral - Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
Tie-1. Football Made Johnson Tough - Albert Grindle, Medina Gazette
Tie-3. Krzeminski’s Commitment Creates Identity for Rockets - Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier
Tie-3. Valleys and Mountains: Abby’s Story - Derrick Webb, Chillicothe Gazette
Tie-3. A Championship Bond - Chris Miles, London Madison Press
Division 3, Column (31)
1. Decision Should Be Out of Coaches’ Hands - Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate
2. Grizzlies Deserve Moment - Albert Grindle, Medina Gazette
Tie-3. Blevins Lends Spartans to State Title Game - Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
Tie-3. Varsity Letters Are Books Without Covers or Pages - Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier
Division 3, Game Story (55)
1. Misfortune Hits Cardington’s Yake - Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
2. Gulley, Tanner and Harrer Go Out in Style - Jake Furr, Norwalk Register
3. Coach Ejected Before Game - Rick Noland, Medina Gazette
4. Grizzlies Win State Title - Albert Grindle, Medina Gazette
5. 41 Games-Gales’ OCC Losing Streak Ends - Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Writer of the Year – Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
(Four first place finishes and one third place finish)
Rob McCurdy, Marion Star – 23.5
Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate – 11
Albert Grindle, Medina Gazette – 11
Scott Cottos, Fostoria Review-Times – 8
Derrick Webb, Chillicothe Gazette – 7
Division 4
Division 4, Investigative/Enterprise (10 entries)
1. Student-Athletes Have Social Media on the Brain - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
Tie-2. Grizzlies’ Title a Product of Generations - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
Tie -2. Area Features Abundance of Young Talent - Dave Purpura, This Week Newspapers
Division 4, News (25 entries)
1. Panthers’ Leonard Resigns - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
2. Panthers’ Castilow Pulls Resignation - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
3. Teammates Standing By Lambert - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers
4. Riggs to Take Over Lancaster Program - Dave Purpura, This Week Newspapers
Division 4, Feature (39 entries)
Tie-1. Johnson Saves Her Best for Last - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
Tie-1. Bennett Likes Having Rare Skill in Hand - Dave Purpura, This Week Newspapers
3. The Language of the Beautiful Game - Anthony Lagunzad, Varsity Magazine
4. Cooper Overcomes Injury, Tragedy to Reach State Meet - Paul Boggs, Jackson County Times-Journal
Division 4, Column (9 entries)
1. Prep Organization Wants to Censor Chants - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers
2. Stop Us if You’ve Heard This One - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
Tie-3. Sugarman Embodies What it Means To Coach - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers
Tie-3. OCC Realignment Makes Calos Reluctant Rivals - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers
Division 4, Game Story (29 entries)
Tie-1. Stefanick’s Homer Lifts Johnstown - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers
Tie-1. Kirk Finishes Sixth at State Cross Country Championships - Andy Rower, The Mirror Newspaper
3. Pickerington North 28, Gahanna 21 (OT) - Jarrod Ulrey, ThisWeekSports.com
Tie-4. Olentangy Liberty 33, Pickerington North 28 - Jarrod Ulrey, ThisWeekSports.com
Tie-4. Hartley 24, Steubenville 21 - Jarrod Ulrey, ThisWeekSports.com
Writer of the Year- Todd Stumpf, Medina Post
(Three first place finishes, three second place finishes and one third place finish)
Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers – 30
Scott Hennen, This Week Community Newspapers – 15.5
Dave Purpura, This Week Community Newspapers – 10.5
Jarrod Ulrey, ThisWeekSports.com – 9
Photography Division – Game Action
1. Stiff-Armed and Dangerous – David Simonis, Fostoria Review Times
2. Using Her Head – David Simonis, Fostoria Review Times
3. Huntington Celebrates Advance to Regional Semi – Jessica Grimm, Chillicothe Gazette
4. Big Bridge – Jamie Baker, Findlay Courier
5. Safe at Second – Jon Behm, Lorain Morning Journal
Photography Division – Portrait
1. Ross County’s Aces – Jessica Grimm, Chillicothe Gazette
2. Kieren Douglas Portrait – Andrew Downing, Varsity Magazine
3. Sailors Home in SBC – Jon Behm, Lorain Morning Journal
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