2006 Writing Contest winners

Division 1

Gary Lundy Writer of the Year winners for 2006 were (l-r) Ron Higgins, The Commercial Appeal, Mike Hutchens, The Daily Messenger and Rob Nunley (not pictured), The Southern Standard.

Gary Lundy Writer of the Year: 1. Ron Higgins, The Commercial Appeal – The best combination of stories. LSU’s battle with Katrina was long, but we (the judges) loved the journalism involved, with factual reporting mixed with quotes that weren’t used just for quotes’ sake. The story on Verties Sails provided the “slice of life” that happens when the writer watches the small things and becomes storyteller. The boxing Petersons was good, solid, reporting in what could have turned into a syrupy rags-to-riches story but didn’t. 2. John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel. 3. Jessica Hopp, The Tennessean.

Best Daily Section: 1. The Commercial Appeal: The winning paper offered strong writing, good packaging, reader-friendly presentation, fine use of graphics and nice variety in the subject matter. Surprised to see just one local columnist. There were a few particularly substantive reads that also were very timely, such as a look at the traumatized LSU campus going into the Tennessee game. The refers on the front were clear. The labels inside instantly identified what a particular story was meant to be. You have to have an outdoors page in this part of the world, and this one featured an interesting story and some fun notes that even included a clever reference to the woes of college football teams of local interest. The NBA Insider package is very informative. 2. Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3. Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Best Special Section: 1. The Commercial Appeal -- Had the best of everything, including the best story ideas executed by the best writers, the best packaging, the best graphics and the best cover, which was simple but striking. 2. Bristol Herald Courier 3. Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Best Columnist: 1. John Adams, Knoxville News-Sentinel -- No columnist in Tennessee writes with a better balance of laugh-aloud humor, cutting commentary and bull’s-eye opinion than this guy. 2. Mike Strange, Knoxville News Sentinel. 3. Darren Epps, Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Best Feature Writer: 1. Ron Higgins, The Commercial Appeal - If there were a sports writers' handbook that included a how-to section on feature writing, it should include this winning writer's collection of stories. He handled three different and intriguing subjects, painting stories in great detail and style. This work will stand as a benchmark of excellence for years to come. 2. Jessica Hopp, The Tennessean. 3. Darren Epps, Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Best Event Writer: 1. John Adams, Knoxville News-Sentinel -- The writing was clever and funny, and filled with insights. 2. Mike Strange, Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3. Ron Higgins, The Commercial Appeal.

Best News Writer: 1. Gary Parrish, The Commercial Appeal -- Clear concise coverage that in both short and long forms told you a complete story. Lynn Lang's side of the story in one of the stories opened up several avenues and the writer took the readers down every necessary street. 2. Dave Hooker, Knoxville News Sentinel. 3. Wesley Rucker, Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Best Prep Writer: 1. Jim Masilak, The Commercial Appeal - Best group of stories of all the years I've judged prep writer. The best story on the recruitment of Thaddeus Young was, despite some non-cooperation, a great picture of what big-time Division 1 basketball recruiting is all about. 2. Jessica Hopp, The Tennessean. 3. Stephen Hargis, Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Best Investigative/Series: 1. Ron Higgins, The Commercial Appeal -- This work offers data and insight and places a spotlight of examination on the hurdles the football programs at Ole Miss and Mississippi State must clear to keep up with the remainder of the SEC and the expectations of the respective fan bases. 2. Jamie Lackey, Chattanooga Times Free Press 3. Gary Parrish, The Commercial Appeal.

Best Individual Layout: 1. Jamie Poole, Chattanooga Times Free Press -- Dominant art draws you to pages that aren't too busy, that don't visually overwhelm readers to where they overload. 2. Joanna Paschal, Chattanooga Times Free Press. 3. None awarded.

Best Headline Writer: 1. Roland Julien, Knoxville News Sentinel -- Some guys just have a knack for consistently witty headlines. The winner in this category must compete with himself every month. Who else thinks of headlines like, "Flip-flop flap: It's about about de-feet." 2. Dan Fleser, Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3. No place awarded.

Best Outdoor Writer: (All Divisions combined due to a lack of entries): 1. Bryan Brasher, The Commercial Appeal -- The most diversified subjects, from solid reporting on bird flu and hunting to the hunter whose cell phone saved his life. This writer has a style that attracts all readers, not just outdoor enthusiasts. 2. Bob Hodge, Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3. Keith Jones, The Mountain Press.

Division 2

Gary Lundy Writer of the Year: 1. Mike Hutchens, The Messenger (Union City) -- This writer showed every facet of his talent, including a scorching column and a detailed news story on a controversial high school coaching hiring/firing, and hilarious column about getting flattened while covering a high school basketball game. 2. Buddy Pearson, Herald-Citizen. 3. Jim Davis, The Mountain Press.

Best Section: 1. The Daily News Journal -- What more could a reader ask for in a daily sports section? Its top-notch writing presented in eye-popping layouts with graphics that enhance the stories. 2. Herald-Citizen. 3. The Messenger (Union City).

Best Special Section: 1. The Messenger (Union City) -- A special section in which the details separate it from the rest of the mundane competition. 2. The Daily News Journal. 3. Herald-Citizen.

Best Columnist: 1. Mike Hutchens, The Messenger (Union City) -- His self-effacing humor makes you smile and his ginzu knife-like opinion makes you cringe. 2. Terry Smith, Seymour Herald. 3. Buddy Pearson, Citizen-Herald.

Best Feature Writer: 1. Adam Sparks, The Daily News Journal -- Had the best array of subjects, and didn't overwrite in content or length. 2. Buddy Pearson, Herald-Citizen. 3. Corby A. Yarbrough, The Daily News Journal.

Best Event Writer: 1. Buddy Pearson, Herald-Citizen -- Gets into his stories quickly, yet without clichés and overwritten leads. Always has judicious and balanced use of quotes. 2. Adam Sparks, The Daily News Journal. 3. Corby A. Yarbrough, The Daily News Journal.

Best News Writer: 1. Mike Hutchens, The Messenger (Union City) -- The more complicated a news story, the more thorough this writer reports. He leaves no questions unanswered. 2. Buddy Pearson, Herald-Citizen. 3. Keith Jones, The Mountain Press.

Best Prep Writer: 1. Jim Davis, The Mountain Press -- Writer with a personal touch that clearly connects his subjects and his readership. 2. Corby A. Yarbrough, The Daily News Journal. 3. Josh Beasley, The Daily News Journal.

Best Investigative/Series: 1. Jim Davis, The Mountain Press -- His detailed and diversified series on his county's Hall of Fame winners showed a lot of good reporting and fine writing. 2. Mike Hutchens, The Messenger (Union City). 3. Keith Jones, The Mountain Press.

Best Individual Layout: 1. Dean Fox, The Daily News Journal -- Turn to one of his page designs and you can't put them down. They're so attractive they demand the reader stop and read. 2. Corby A. Yarbrough, The Daily News Journal. 3. Keith Jones, The Mountain Press.

Best Headline Writer: 1. Kevin Barnard, Citizen Tribune -- Witty without being too cute and losing the reader entirely. 2. Andy Reed, Lebanon Democrat. 3. Jim Davis, The Mountain Press.

Division 3

Gary Lundy Writer of the Year: 1. Rob Nunley, The Southern Standard -- Delivered a solid event story on a high school football team breaking a 39-game losing streak, and two columns that drew emotions from the opposite ends of the spectrum. 2. Craig Harris, The News Examiner. 3. Doug Dyer, Williamson Herald.

Special Section: 1. The News Examiner: A preseason football section stuffed with information, but easy on the eyes because a proper dose of pertinent graphics. Loved the Brady Bunch spoof on the cover. 2. The Southern Standard. 3. None awarded.

Best Feature Writer: 1. Bill Traughber, Sports Nashville -- Master of picking off-beat subjects, such as the first indoor baseball game as well as former Vandy basketball coach Roy Skinner, and then providing readers with well-researched and written history lessons. 2. Dale Stubblefield, The Southern Standard. 3. Craig Harris, The News Examiner.

News/Event Writer: 1. Bill Sorrell, The Fayette Falcon -- Didn't sacrifice good reporting and detail for creativity. His story on the return of Tim Thompson as a high school coach was as compete a reporting job on an event story as you'll find anywhere. 2. Rob Nunley, The Southern Standard. 3. Doug Dyer, Williamson Herald.

Sports Information Division

Best Media Guide: 1. Marlin Curnutt and Zeke Beam, Carson Newman football media guide -- It's refreshing to see a media guide that is more for the media than it is for a recruiting tool. Well-organized, easy-to-navigate and thorough information. 2. Jo Jo Freeman, Middle Tennessee baseball media guide. 3. None awarded.

Best Press Release: 1. Jo Jo Freeman, Middle Tennessee -- Excellent three-part series on the renovation of the school's baseball stadium was multi-sourced (SID even had quotes from the project's architect. 2. Marlin Curnutt, Carson Newman. 3. None awarded.