Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: UT-Arlington Entry Title: UTA terminates head coach Entry Credit: Mandy Huynh, Andrew Tineo Judge Comment: Good reporting here. You got to the bottom of an important story, and gave each party a chance to tell their story. Classic journalism.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Abilene Christian Entry Title: Name, image and likeness policy and its impact on the ACU student athlete Entry Credit: Carrie Johnston Judge Comment: Good, timely topic. Lots of good anecdotes. I would've liked to see the lede more focused on those athlete anecdotes, but that's a small quibble. Good reporting.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: UT-Arlington Entry Title: All-Star Game to generate city's growth Entry Credit: Isaac Appelt Judge Comment: Lots of good information in this story. Might've tried talking to some downtown business owners for some more color, but the nuts and bolts of this story were there.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: UT-Dallas Entry Title: Student Draws Against World Chess Champ Magnus Carlsen Entry Credit: Jack Sierputowski Judge Comment: I liked this story. It was unique, with some good quotes.
Competition Comment: Lots of entries here, and lots of possible winners to choose from. Tough call.
