Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Lamar University Entry Title: University Press, Sep. 2023 Entry Credit: UP Staff Judge Comment: Story selection and photo placement make this entry No. 1. The pairing of these two stories - future and past - their hierarchy on the page, and the headlines and photo selections give the reader exactly what they expect from a sports page - no surprises. This is professional-level stuff. Well done.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Del Mar College Entry Title: Oct. 23, 2023 Entry Credit: Paul Farias Judge Comment: This page is darn-near perfect example of use of space. With the massive ad, the selection of this human interest column fits well. The use of a primary photo and the supplementary graphics to tell the story in a visually interesting way. Good use of visuals on a visual-critical story.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Lamar University Entry Title: University Press, Nov. 2023 Entry Credit: UP Staff Judge Comment: This is a great page, and perhaps would be first-place material if the top two images were flipped. I would like to see the trophy hoist as the main image, because to me, that's what the story is all about and the most important/visually interesting photo. Nice use of headlines and overall layout.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Del Mar College Entry Title: Dec. 4, 2023 Entry Credit: Paul Farias Judge Comment: Good work filling space with photos when copy is limited. If it were me, I would have placed the large image at the top, under the hed, with copy in the middle, between the big image and the other images. This would prevent visual monotony and place the most interesting visual element high.
