Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: UT-Arlington Entry Title: Support UTA teams Entry Credit: Isaac Appelt Judge Comment: A column that felt like a column; great use of being a fan of UTA before becoming a student and remembering what it felt like to be in the stands. Writers have more freedom and power in opinion pieces and should take advantage of that; this column made me feel something.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Texas State Entry Title: Opinion: Texas State football should capitalize off transfer rule Entry Credit: David Cuevas Judge Comment: Well-reported for a column with quotes from multiple coaches and players. I learned quite a bit about the newer transfer rule by reading this.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: A&M-College Station Entry Title: 'Do or Die': A&M must beat Miami to stay afloat Entry Credit: Matthew Cobb Judge Comment: This writer is well-read, which has given them a larger than average vocabulary for a college student. But it's important to remember and cater to your reader,. Write stories that everyone can read and enjoy.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Abilene Christian Entry Title: Why ACU is not exempt from fleeing employees in college athletics Entry Credit: Connor Mullins Judge Comment: Good topic and well-reported. This could use a stronger opinion.
Competition Comment: Extremely well-read and experienced sports writers in this category. I've noticed a lot of statistics and supplemented reporting from other news sites, which is common in modern media. Excited for the future of sports journalism -- I hope these writers decide to keep their talent in Texas.
