Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Ann Arbor News Entry Title: Jim Plocki, fortunate to be alive, does a little bit of everything for Michigan football Entry Credit: Andrew Kahn Judge Comment: This is a great example of finding someone who isn't necessarily known by fans of a popular program and making him human and real. A connection is formed with the reader.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Muskegon Chronicle Entry Title: Michigan prep hockey players honor fallen ‘brother’ in opener after teen’s tragic death Entry Credit: Scott DeCamp Judge Comment: These are never easy stories to write, and this was well done. The fact that the game was dramatic makes it an even tougher story structurally to fit everything you'd want, but the author does a solid job.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Muskegon Chronicle Entry Title: West Michigan high school basketball team taught sympathy, rallies around opposing coach Entry Credit: Scott DeCamp Judge Comment: Oftentimes you don't get the both-side perspective on a tragedy game like this, but I thought that made the difference in making this story relatable from all angles.
