The Dallas Morning News has extended its streak among the top 10 sports sections in the nation and won recognition in five writing categories in the Associated Press Sports Editors Contest, a medal count ranking among SportsDay’s largest since the competition began in 1983.
SportsDay was among eight newspapers in the largest circulation category to earn an APSE Triple Crown, winning best print portfolio, digital section and event coverage. It fell just short of a Grand Slam (projects).
Only The Philadelphia Inquirer finished in the top 10 of all four categories in the contest’s highest division.
SportsDay is the only sports section to place in at least two Triple Crown categories of the largest classification every year since the contest’s inception.
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“There’s no question that sports journalism has changed dramatically since Dave Smith made this section what it is,” said Tommy Magelssen, The News’ third sports editor since Smith retired in 2004, “but this haul of silverware shows we can still compete with the very best in the nation.”
The results gleaned from a nationwide panel of judges were announced this week at the annual APSE convention in Las Vegas. APSE does not rank its top 10 in the section competition. Top 10 rankings for the writing awards will be announced next month.
SportsDay staffers placed in five of the competition’s nine writing categories: columns, beat reporting, breaking news, event coverage and high school writing.
Tim Cowlishaw and Kevin Sherrington were recognized for portfolios of their columns. Both teamed up with Mike Curtis, Brad Townsend and Shawn McFarland for top 10 in event coverage, the aftermath of Luka Doncic’s shocking trade from the Mavs to the Lakers.
Evan Grant, who has covered the Rangers for 30 years, earned a top 10 for his portfolio in beat writing. Calvin Watkins, entering his 17th season covering the Cowboys, was recognized along with news reporters Jamie Landers and Elissa Jorgensen in the breaking news category for their coverage of the death of the Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland.
Greg Riddle, who has covered high school sports in Dallas since 2005, made the top 10 in the new category of high school beat writing.
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Photographer Smiley Pool finished in the top 10 in sports feature photos.
Brothers Ezra, 5, Asher, 10, and Asa Willingham, 8, from Richmond, Texas, watch as Texas Rangers outfielder Alejandro Osuna takes live batting practice during a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
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