LAS VEGAS
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram received Top 10 recognition in eight categories in the 2025 Associated Press Sports Editors contest, considered the top sports writing awards in the country.
The Star-Telegram was recognized as a staff for its digital portfolio — a compilation of how the newspaper uses the unique presentation tools available online. The Star-Telegram’s entry included a searchable database of high school football coaches’ salaries; a photo gallery of more than 10 years’ worth of coverage of TCU quarterback Ken Seals, starting when he was 13; the Cowboys Overtime podcast; “ask us anything” live events with reporters; and Cowboys beat writer Nick Harris’ X thread breaking down the team’s pass defense woes.
Mac Engel received Top 10 recognition for columns, including TCU’s NIL dispute with a prominent Fort Worth football family; the post-retirement life of Texas Longhorns legend Colt McCoy; a look at the legacy of college gymnast and online personality Livvy Dunne; and a terrifying accident at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Steven Johnson earned Top 10 recognition for team/locality beat writing for his coverage of TCU, including a police report detailing an alleged domestic violence incident involving women’s basketball player Sedona Prince; coverage of the women’s second-round NCAA Tournament victory over Louisville; a feature on why basketball star Olivia Miles transferred to TCU instead of going to the WNBA; and tips on how to make the most of TCU’s roster on the College Football 26 video game.
Star-Telegram visuals editor Amanda McCoy earned Top 10 recognition in the Associated Press Sports Editors contest for this action photo: Chase Pierre of Brookshire competes in the steer wrestling event of the Cowboys Color Rodeo on Jan. 20, 2025, at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Charles Baggarly claimed Top 10 recognition for high school beat writing, including coverage of the dismissal of Southlake Carroll boys basketball coach David Markley, who was eventually reinstated; Fort Worth Arlington Heights football reaching the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 1973; a feature on Northwest track phenom Cooper Lutkenhaus; and a breakdown of high school football coaches’ salaries.
Harris teamed with news reporter Harriet Ramos to earn Top 10 recognition in breaking news for coverage of the death of Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
Harris and Engel teamed up for Top 10 recognition in podcasts for Cowboys Overtime, along with producers Candi Bolden, Amanda McCoy and Steve Wilson.
Former Star-Telegram photographer Chris Torres earned Top 10 recognition in the Associated Press Sports Editors contest for this feature photo: Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) celebrates with linebacker Bryce Ramirez after winning the Big 12 championship game against BYU on Dec. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Chris Torres Star-Telegram
The Star-Telegram also grabbed Top 10 recognition in both photo categories — McCoy for her action photo from the Stock Show & Rodeo, and former Star-Telegram staffer Chris Torres for his feature photo of Texas Tech football players celebrating their Big 12 championship victory at AT&T Stadium.
“All of these honors are well-deserved and are a testament to the staff’s thoughtful hard work,” Star-Telegram sports editor Jim Barnes said. “I’m proud that other sports editors around the country recognized the quality of the journalism that we produce, using all the tools available to us online.”
Judging was completed last week in Las Vegas. Winners in each category will be announced at a later date.
The Star-Telegram competed in Class C, the third-largest category.
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jim Barnes is the Star-Telegram’s sports editor. A Fort Worth native and graduate of Castleberry High School, he returned to Texas after 13 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He previously was sports editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald and a freelance high school sports reporter for The Dallas Morning News.