Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer Entry Title: The Release of Odell Beckham Jr. Entry Credit: cleveland.com sports staff Judge Comment: The Cleveland team, especially Mary Kay, was all over the OBJ story. Felt like they were the leading news-breaker.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Cincinnati Enquirer Entry Title: coverage of the firing of University of Cincinnati basketball coach John Brannen Entry Credit: Keith Jenkins Judge Comment: This UC story was difficult to fathom. Felt like there was one final story missing.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Columbus Dispatch Entry Title: The death of hockey goalie Matiss Kivlenieks Entry Credit: Brian Hedger Judge Comment: Great profile on fallen goalie.
