News Sentinel wins five first-place awards in state contest; Adams named top columnist

The News Sentinel won five first-place awards in the top circulation category by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

The winners were announced Friday to conclude the TSWA’s annual convention in Lebanon on Friday.

News Sentinel sports editor John Adams was named best columnist, Mike Strange was first in event writing, Roland Julian was first in headline writing, Bob Hodge was first in outdoor writing, and David Goddard was first in layout.

On Adams the judges had this to say: “This was a close race between the top two columnists (Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal), because both called for a change at the top of Tennessee football and both had cleverly written collection of columns. But the winner’s Fulmer column had the advantage of a full season’s perspective, but also took the debate into the area of off-field happenings which gave it a stronger base. I especially liked the winner’s trick play column. I chuckled all the way through it and went back to read it again after the judging was done.”

Adams was second in the sportswriter of the year category, which was won by Higgins. The award is named after former News Sentinel sports columnist Gary Lundy.

Mark Burgess of the News Sentinel was second for best investigative series, and Mike Griffith was third in the same category. John Battle was second in layout, Adams was third in event writing, and Dan Fleser was third in headline writing.

The News Sentinel also placed second for best daily section and third for best special section.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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