District winners announced for the 2025-26 CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest

District winners announced for the 2025-26 CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest

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Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest 

Click here to download/print District winner certificates.
Questions about the Stabley District Winner certificates? Contact Beau White at beau@cscommunicators.com.

District winners announced for the 2025-26 CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest

More than 100 articles written by College Sports Communicators members have been honored as district winners in the 2025-26 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest.

CSC members in all eight districts submitted nearly 500 articles in seven categories. For the second straight year, the contest was split into College and Division I divisions, allowing the recognition of the work done by members from smaller offices without as much time to devote to longer feature writing.

The 2025-26 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest categories
  • Athlete Profile
  • Coach/Administrator Profile
  • Event Coverage
  • General Feature/Blog
  • Historical Feature
  • Season Recap/Preview
  • Social Justice/Diversity & Inclusion
  • Student Submissions
Leading the way with five district first-place nods was Mike Brohard of Colorado State, while Paul Coro (Grand Canyon), Graham Hays (Vanderbilt), and Michael Rovetto (Maryland) all had four submissions selected as best in district. Steve Bradley of Roberts Wesleyan and Corey Jewart of Gettysburg led the College Division with three first-place awards each.

District winners advance to the national ballot, with national winners in each of the eight categories to be announced later this month.

All writing had to have an original publish date between January 1-December 31, 2025 to be eligible. For questions about the writing contest, contact Stabley Writing Committee chair Mike Falk (Muhlenburg, mikefalk@muhlenberg.edu) and vice chair Joe Gustina (Lycoming, guistina@lycoming.edu).
 

2025-26 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest District Winners and Runners-Up
 

District 1

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Tim Volkmann, RIT - More Than Just a Hockey Player
Runner-up: Steve Bradley, Roberts Wesleyan - Rachel Is a Survivor

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Sarah Kirkpatrick Ryan, Holy Cross - Punni’s football path guided by gratitude, faith, determination
Runner-up: Justin Lafleur, Dartmouth - Every Day Is The Best Day For Zappitello Brothers At Dartmouth

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Kyle Teixeira, Mount St. Mary - From the Pitch to the Sideline: How Joe Dolan Has Continued His Legacy at the Mount
Runner-up: Kris Dufour, Amherst - Jack Arena '83 Announces Retirement From Coaching

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: John Hartrick, Binghamton - Winning Edge Spring 2025
Runner-up: Justin Lafleur, Dartmouth - For Dartmouth and Coach Kirwan, Autism Awareness Game Shows Strength of Community

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Steve Bradley, Roberts Wesleyan - Brynn King Breaks All-Time NCAA Outdoor Record For Women's Pole Vault
Runner-up: Jeffrey Bernstein, New York University - Perfection Repeated

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Jeremy Hartigan, Cornell - National Champs! Lacrosse Claims NCAA Title With 13-10 Win Over Maryland
Runner-up: Justin Lafleur, Dartmouth - No. 20 Dartmouth Picks Up Thrilling 9-8 Overtime Win at No. 16 Penn

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Mike Hogan, St. John Fisher - 'I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Paul': Inside Paul Vosburgh's St. John Fisher Legacy
Runner-up: Steve Bradley, Roberts Wesleyan - The Voice of the Redhawks

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner: Nick Landi, Binghamton - Binghamton Equipment Manager Continues Extraordinary Hockey Journey
Runner-up: Justin Lafleur, Dartmouth - Winning Championships and Creating a Legacy: The Dartmouth Defensive Line

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Steve Bradley, Roberts Wesleyan - After more than 50 years, basketball relic returns to campus
Runner-up: Ben Blakely, Middlebury - Middlebury Women’s Ice Hockey Celebrates 50 Years

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: John Hartrick, Binghamton - Winning Edge Fall 2025
Runner-up: Justin Lafleur, Dartmouth - A Rapid Rise: The Story of Dartmouth Women’s Rowing

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner (tie): Steve Bradley, Roberts Wesleyan - 2025 Filled with Memorable Moments
Winner (tie): Jeffrey Bernstein, New York University - Let the Games Begin

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Sarah Kirkpatrick Ryan, Holy Cross - Crusaders celebrate resilient journey to NCAA Tournament
Runner-up: Nick Landi, Binghamton - Volleyball Looks to Take Next Step Forward in 2025

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: David Cataloni, UMass-Boston - Strength in Vulnerability: UMass Boston Student-Athletes Break the Silence on Men’s Mental Health
Runner-up: Adam Levin, Brandeis - Introducing Athlete Ally

Student Submission – College Division
Winner: Peyton Rohr, New York University - Sophie and Isabel Liu - Sisters on the NYU Women's Cross Country Team


District 2

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Corey Jewart, Gettysburg - From classroom to Colombia: Katie LaPlaunt’s ’28 global research journey
Runner-up: Joe Guistina, Lycoming - Always Assisting

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Jerry Price, Princeton - McKnight Pederson Feature Story: The Heart And Soul
Runner-up: Elliott Carr, Princeton - Journey to Jadwin - Blake Peters ‘25

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet - Gallaudet football coach Chuck Goldstein steps down to take position in University Admissions
Runner-up: Amanda Gretz, Elizabethtown - Sheibley Steps Down as Head Baseball Coach

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Michael Rovetto, Maryland - Never Cutting Corners: The Work Ethic That Built Buzz Williams’ Coaching Empire
Runner-up: Brady Ruth, Maryland - What It Takes: The Terps Head West

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Corey Jewart, Gettysburg - Gettysburg College holds Special Commencement for NCAA-bound seniors
Runner-up: Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet - Gallaudet's championship for the ages, Guettler's overtime buzzer-beater hands Bison first conference title

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner (tie): Michael Rovetto, Maryland - No. 21 Worldwide Terps Run The Night, Defeating Michigan, 85-77 
Winner (tie): Justin Kischefsky, Navy - Men Take Early Lead in Beating Army, Women Edge Black Knights Late in Swimming & Diving Sweep by Navy

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Corey Jewart, Gettysburg - Christina Richson ’22 shines on Harvard’s athletic communications team
Runner-up: Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet - Gallaudet women's basketball team makes a cameo in Super Bowl LIX kick-off feature

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner: Jerry Price, Princeton - Tiger Bech Feature Story: "The Energy Of Love In The Universe"
Runner-up: Adam Evanko, Bucknell - Running It Back

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Thomas Klemick, Penn State Harrisburg - No One Saw It Coming: How Men's Basketball Defeated Johns Hopkins In the Greatest NCAA Tournament Game Never Attended
Runner-up: Corey Jewart, Gettysburg - A Gettysburg legacy: Q&A with Commencement speaker Carol Cantele ’83, P’15

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: Michael Rovetto, Maryland - From Truitt to Tillman: Maryland Men's Lacrosse Upholds Foundation of Excellence
Runner-up: Brady Ruth, Maryland - Testudo Inks Historic NIL Deal with Brown Boy Nation

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: Ethan Hulsey, Millersville - Healthy, dynamic lineup makes 'Ville baseball a contender once again
Runner-up: Colin Franko, Keystone - Giants Close 2025 Season with Grit, Growth, and a Foundation for the Future 

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Michael Rovetto, Maryland - Maryland Baseball 2025 Season Preview: Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime/
Runner-up: Adam Evanko, Bucknell - TOKYO BOUND! Evelyn Bliss Officially Headed to the 2025 World Athletics Championships

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet - Gallaudet football participates in first Deaf Day at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Social Justice/Diversity - Division I
Winner: Brady Ruth, Maryland - Zachary McFarland: Everyone’s Friend
Runner-up: Michael Rovetto, Maryland - Serving His Community: Maryland Basketball’s Selton Miguel Uses Non-Profit to Empower Angolan Youth 

Student Submission – College Division
Winner: Jack Sacco, Washington & Jefferson - Kellan Stahl: Seizing the Moment

Student Submission - Division I
Winner: Julianne Garnett, Maryland - Maryland Love Connection: Jake & Jasmine Layman
Runner-up: Julianne Garnett, Maryland - Impact Of A Scholarship: James Heffley


District 3

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Drew Wilson, Averett - O'Reilly's positive mindset eases pressure entering 2025 NCAA Men's Golf National Championships
Runner-up: Dale Long, Georgia Gwinnett - A Grizzly Gamer

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Timothy Farrell, University Athletic Association - Sidney Morris Uses Life Experience to Bring P.I.E.S. Check-Ins to Morehouse and Beyond
Runner-up: Chris Harry, Florida - A Dream & 'Dream School' Come True

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Joseph Brennan, Lynchburg - Reset to Resurgence: How Cardoza Rejuvenated Lynchburg Volleyball
Runner-up: Craig McPhail, Conference Carolinas - Major League influence in Tigerville

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Chris Harry, Florida - Consummate Academic 'Custodian' Bids Farewell
Runner-up: Anthony Jeffries, North Carolina Central - Coaching and Stats? Williams Has It Covered

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Dale Long, Georgia Gwinnett - Baseball Rallies Twice to Earn Another World Series Trip
Runner-up: Drew Wilson, Averett - Wrestling's Barrett places third, earns All-America honors at NCAA Division III National Championships

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Chris Harry, Florida - Cold-Blooded Clayton Catapults Gators to Final Four
Runner-up: Bret Strelow, App State - App State Stands Up to Late Challenges in Home Win Over Oregon State

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Craig McPhail, Conference Carolinas - Seeing double, or triple, the story of twins and triplets in Conference Carolinas
Runner-up: Dale Long, Georgia Gwinnett - Unwrapping a Program

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner (tie): Stan Cole, Campbell - Rochelle’s five home run day still a vivid memory
Winner (tie): Christian Gravius, Richmond - Focus, Family, and Football: Joe Allen’s Richmond Story

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Drew Wilson, Averett - A full-circle moment as coaches recall post-pandemic spring season five years later
Runner-up: Michael Ferguson, Polk State - Polk State Basketball celebrates 60 years during 2024-25 season

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: Stan Cole, Campbell - Woodrow Upchurch: Buies Creek to the big leagues and back
Runner-up: Mark Wasik, Kennesaw State - From the Dugout to the Hall of Fame: Scott Whitlock

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: Michael Ferguson, Polk State - Polk State Volleyball overcomes illness to get back to FCSAA Tournament
Runner-up: Dale Long, Georgia Gwinnett - Experienced Softball Battery Poised for Strong ‘25 Campaign

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Bret Strelow, App State - With Obstacles Around Each Corner, App State Wrestling Continues Championship Success
Runner-up: Lauren Moore, High Point - Togetherness Powers Panthers into 2025 Campaign

Social Justice/Diversity - Division I
Winner: Stan Cole, Campbell - Women's Empowerment Spotlight | Emily Pierce


District 4

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Nick Astalos, Capital - Meet Samaree Perkins: Two-Sport Athlete, Straight-A Student, and Future Judge
Runner-up: Dusty Sloan, Ashland - Shimek Turning In Season For The Eagle Football Ages

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Graham Hays, Vanderbilt - Bollig’s Long Wait
Runner-up: Noah Tylutki, Bowling Green State - For Ava Vial, Trust and Fresh Approach Guided Her to First MAC Medal

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Adam Cavalier, Carson-Newman - Sparks nominated for College Football Hall of Fame
Runner-up: Dusty Sloan, Ashland - Schaly Approaching NCAA Division II Career Wins Record

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Graham Hays, Vanderbilt - On-the-Job Training
Runner-up: Jeff Shearer, Auburn - Butch Thompson hits 10-year mark: 'This is Auburn baseball's time'

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Joe Ginley, John Carroll - #9 John Carroll Football Defeats #2 Mount Union in Colossal Playoff Victory
Runner-up: Nathaniel LaRiccia, Mount Union - 'World champs forever': Mount Union grad Nick Sirianni, Eagles bask in Super Bowl 59 win

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Jeff Shearer, Auburn - FINAL FOUR BOUND! No. 1 Auburn beats Michigan State, wins South Regional
Runner-up: P.J. Gradowski, Detroit Mercy - Thundercloud Brings The Boom As Titans Post Another Comeback Victory Over VMI

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Noah Tylutki, Albion - ‘I Felt Like a Superstar’ – Inside Men’s Basketball’s Unique Trip to France
Runner-up: Joe Ginley, John Carroll - Alumni Athlete Spotlight: Emily Taylor '15, '20G

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner (tie): Jeff Shearer, Auburn - A mentor's mantle: Mike Blanc, Auburn football chaplain
Winner (tie): Graham Hays, Vanderbilt - Better Than They Found It

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Noah Tylutki, Albion - Twenty-Five Years After His Death, Pete Schmidt’s Multifaceted Legacy Remains
Runner-up: Joe Ginley, John Carroll - 50 Years Later: How Cleveland Kids Realized DeCarlo’s Dream of a National Championship

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: P.J. Gradowski, Detroit Mercy - When We Were Queens
Runner-up: Jeff Shearer, Auburn - Cam Newton Recalls ‘Magical’ 2010 Auburn Season

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: Nick Astalos, Capital - A Year in Review: 25 Highlight Moments for Capital Athletics in 2025
Runner-up: Thomas Chasanoff, Cumberlands - Reload and Ready - Patriots Aim High for 2025-26 Season

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Mike Ezekiel, North Alabama - LUCKY SEVEN: The Year of Champions
Runner-up: Jeff Shearer, Auburn - 'Forever grateful': Auburn's Butch Thompson reflects on historic 2025 season

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: Joe Ginley, John Carroll - Black History Month Feature: Burrell Shields '52

Social Justice/Diversity - Division I
Winner: Graham Hays, Vanderbilt - Commodore Influencers
Runner-up: Jeff Shearer, Auburn - 'No weakness': Auburn's Angella Okutoyi strengthens tennis team

Student Submission – College Division
Winner: Kristopher Jacoby, Mount Union - An Unusual Journey Leads Shaun Vaden to Mount Union's Men's Basketball Program


District 5

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Kobe Mosley, NCAA - Anthony Pecorella found himself and his purpose through Team IMPACT
Runner-up: Olivia Brown, NCAA - Iowa’s Kennedy Blades looks forward to chasing ‘iconic trophy’ in inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling championship

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Corey Kirk, UIC - Playing for Two
Runner-up: Aaron Johnson, Purdue Fort Wayne - Making Peace with Lauren Ross

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Josh Neuhart, Grace - Serving Sweetly: Kelly Sharp’s Lancer Legacy
Runner-up: Jordan Modjeski, St. John’s (Minn.) - Once a Gustie, Always a Gustie: Behind the Bench with Women’s Hockey

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Brandon Vickrey, Valparaiso - Andy Waddle Brings More Than Just Football to Valpo

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Olivia Brown, NCAA - Emerging Leaders Seminar takes young professionals through a ‘hero’s journey’
Runner-up: Rachel Balinao, North Central (Ill.) - Four-Peat Glory for North Central with Smeed’s First National Crown

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Aaron Johnson - Purdue Fort Wayne - Bess Called Game - Mastodons Knock Off Purdue 68-67
Runner-up (tie): Brandon Vickrey, Valparaiso - Delisanti Delivers Best Round-3 Score in Urbana Regional Field, Closing Remarkable Collegiate Career in Fitting Fashion
Runner-up (tie): Joe Pott, SIU Edwardsville - Ray'Sean Taylor's Career Night Leads Cougars Past Morehead State

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: John Edwards, U SPORTS - RMC vs. Army: There’s no game like it
Runner-up: Kobe Mosley, NCAA - Melissa Doyle and her lifelong journey to officiating in the Winter Olympics

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner: Brandon Vickrey, Valparaiso - VanArragon, Delisanti Back on Same Course at NV5 Invitational
Runner-up: Joe Pott, SIU Edwardsville - Taylor Named 2024-25 OVC Male Athlete of the Year 

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Stew Salowitz, Illinois Wesleyan - 30 Years of Shirk
Runner-up: Kobe Mosley, NCAA - Dikembe Mutombo honored with NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award for a life spent serving others

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: Taiah Gallisath, North Central (Ill.) - 2025-26 Women’s Wrestling Season Preview
Runner-up (tie): Alex Mielcarz, North Central (Ill.) - 2025 Women’s Golf Season Preview
Runner-up (tie): Jordon Hall, University of Toronto - Championship Preview: U SPORTS Swimming

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Brandon Vickrey, Valparaiso - Valpo Football Set to Kick Off First Fall Camp Under Head Coach Andy Waddle
Runner-up: Aaron Johnson, Purdue Fort Wayne - Are You Ready For It? Mastodons Host Wright State For Taylor Swift Day

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: Olivia Brown, NCAA - NCAA Silver Anniversary Award winner Tamika Catchings continues to represent what’s possible
Runner-up: Nicholas Osterloo, North Central (Ill.) - 2025 Cleo Tanner Award Winner: Katie McNeela ’14

Social Justice/Diversity - Division I
Winner: Aaron Johnson, Purdue Fort Wayne - Raising Kylo: Sydney Freeman's Journey as a Mother and Division I Basketball Player


District 6

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Dave Beyer, Mississippi University for Women - Prose & Con
Runner-up: Thomas Butler-Guerrero, Ouachita Baptist - Top-Ranked Anderson Headlines No. 25 Tigers in NWCA Preseason Poll

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Claire Cruz, Texas Rio Grande Valley - Right Place, Right Time: Schlenbaker’s Fateful Journey from Haiti to UTRGV Football
Runner-up (tie): Sean Cartell, Texas San Antonio - The Last Dance: Jenkins and De Leon Negron Prepare For Final Home Game Saturday
Runner-up (tie): Connor Gilbert, New Mexico - ‘Heart of a Champion’: The Unyielding Drive of Habtom Samuel

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Mike Grose, New Mexico Highlands - NMHU’s Bob DeVries Returns Home To Wisconsin For NCAA Championships
Runner-up: Dave Beyer, Mississippi University for Women - The Buddy System

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Sean Cartell, Texas San Antonio - “Supreme Priority on Relationships and Winning” Drive UTSA Baseball Coach Pat Hallmark
Runner-up: Joel Coleman, Mississippi State - The Beginning of a Promising New Era

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Dave Beyer, Mississippi University for Women - Riley finishes his career at NCAA III championships
Runner-up: Don Hammack, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Twice as Nice

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Samue Knehans, Sun Belt Conference - Sun Belt's Rise Continues with Coastal Carolina's Run to College World Series Final
Runner-up: Brian Ogden, Mississippi State - Déjà Vu For Perry And The Dawgs

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Brandon Warr, Texas Permian Basin - Chasing Passion, Capturing Moments: Arath Brito’s West Texas Journey
Runner-up: Dave Beyer, Mississippi University for Women - 1986 volleyball team had the recipe for success

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner: Megan Webb, Texas State - "Bleeding Maroon": Karen Chisum's Lifetime in San Marcos
Runner-up: Claire Cruz, Texas Rio Grande Valley - A Second Chance and New Perspective: O’Neal Overcomes Medical Emergency to Kick for UTRGV Football

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Chase Hartsell, Ouachita Baptist - Tiger Tidbit: The Gift of 53
Runner-up: Jace Hinton, New Mexico Highlands - Regis and New Mexico Highlands’ Shared Las Vegas Roots

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: Joel Coleman, Mississippi State - Special Night Shows How ‘Nothing Compares’ To State Baseball 
Runner-up: Samuel Knehans, Sun Belt Conference - Rising Sun Belt Reaches New Heights With James Madison's College Football Playoff Appearance

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: Brian Ramsey, Ouachita Baptist - Ouachita Posts School’s Best Finish in GAC All-Sports Races
Runner-up: Daniel Kotula, NorthWest Arkansas Community College - Men’s Soccer Learns 2026 Region Schedule

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Claire Cruz, Texas Rio Grande Valley - Spring Season in Review: Men’s Tennis Enjoys Turnaround in 2025
Runner-up: Joel Coleman, Mississippi State - New Season, New Looks And New Opportunities

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: Mike Grose, New Mexico Highlands - Pacific Games Medal Winners Ready For Upcoming Season At New Mexico Highlands


District 7

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner: Connor Hood, University of Alberta - Responsibility to inspire: Golden Bears receiver gives back to community
Runner-up (tie): Larry Happel, Central - Van Gorp reaching new heights for Central men's basketball 
Runner-up (tie): Mark Robertson, Montana Tech - 'Just what you do', three-sport athlete Peterson recognized as Montana Athlete in Service

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner: Jackson Wagner, Montana - It’s not that deep
Runner-up: Mike Brohard, Colorado State - A Powerful Pair of Cowboy Boots

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Connor Hood, University of Alberta - Stevenson Bone named 29th head coach of Golden Bears Football

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Mike Brohard, Colorado State - Money Well Spent With a Greater Return on Investment

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Conlan Burk, Carroll (Mont.) - No. 14 Saints Win Rain-Soaked Shootout Over No. 8 Bulldogs
Runner-up: Jake Knabel, Concordia Nebraska - Incomparable Smith reserves legendary status in Bulldog folklore, drops 48 in postseason win

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Mike Brohard, Colorado State - Lesnar Announces Presence With Championship Throw
Runner-up: Jackson Wagner, Montana - Morrison wins Big Sky heptathlon title

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Thomas Wehner, Washington University - From Division III To The Majors: Former WashU Baseball Teammates Face Off In MLB Showdown
Runner-up: Michael Smith, Dodge City Community College - Together We CONQuer...The Bond of Being a Conquistador Has Led a Pair of Former Volleyball Players to Make History at Stephens College

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner: Mike Brohard, Colorado State - Borrman Writing Her Own Fairy Tale

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Jake Knabel, Concordia Nebraska - All-time leading rusher Wester lives out dreams of reaching NFL, serving families
Runner-up: Mark Robertson, Montana Tech - 'Gutting the elk': Orediggers look back on 1996 football semifinal win over Carroll

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: Mike Brohard, Colorado State - A Program At the Base, a Community at the Heart
Runner-up: Mike Green, Iowa State - In Their Own Words: The Story Behind The 2000 Insight.com Bowl Champions

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: John Kean, Missouri S&T - Historic Season for Miner Men’s Basketball
Runner-up: Jake Knabel, Concordia Nebraska - An uncommon journey: from 0-4 to GPAC championship glory

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Jackson Wagner, Montana - Montana returns to NCAA Tournament in record setting season

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: Mark Robertson, Montana Tech - Always faithful: Jany represents Montana Tech at Marine Corps PLC
Runner-up: Bridget McCann, Washington University - Acing Community Impact: WashU's Trailblazing Second Serve Chapter

Social Justice/Diversity - Division I
Winner: Mike Brohard - Colorado State - Inspiration Within the Home, Education for the Masses

Student Submission - Division I
Winner: Liv Sewell, Colorado State - Keep the Fire Burning While Passing the Torch
Runner-up: Liv Sewell, Colorado State - Between the Pass and the Swing


District 8

Athlete Profile - College Division
Winner (tie): Antonio Arredondo, George Fox - A Legacy in Motion 
Winner (tie): Mark Moschetti, Seattle Pacific - Ovals of Competition, Ovals of Life

Athlete Profile - Division I
Winner (tie): Paul Coro, Grand Canyon - Vali gives thanks for cancer diagnosis, recovery
Winner (tie): Jason Erickson, Utah Valley - From Nazareth to Orem: The Journey of Joul Karram
Runner-up: David Dietrich, Boise State - From Chemo to the Course

Coach/Administrator Profile - College Division
Winner: Matthew Horrocks, Jessup - Lance Von Vogt Steps Away from Jessup After 12 Years
Runner-up: Alexander Kline, Cal Poly Pomona - Broncos Celebrate 2,000th Win Under Brian Swanson

Coach/Administrator Profile - Division I
Winner: Samantha Sunseri, Cal - Music to His Ears
Runner-up: Paul Coro, Grand Canyon - Every GCU basketball day falls on Father’s Day

Event Coverage - College Division
Winner: Joshua McDermott, Southern Oregon - Southern Oregon captured 4th NAIA softball championship
Runner-up: Alexander Kline, Cal Poly Pomona - Pappas Breaks the All-Time Runs Scored Record

Event Coverage - Division I
Winner: Alexander Semadeni, Boise State - Full Court Fight
Runner-up: Samantha Sunseri, Cal - And Still…

General Feature/Blog - College Division
Winner: Tim Heiduk, Point Loma Nazarene - Home Field Advantage: Jay Johnson
Runner-up: Alexander Kline, Cal Poly Pomona - Cody Ponce Lands Historic Deal With Blue Jays After Winning KBO MVP

General Feature/Blog - Division I
Winner: Alexander Semadeni, Boise State - Jelly Roll Meditation
Runner-up: Paul Coro, Grand Canyon - Wilson carries GCU banner well as MLB star

Historical Feature - College Division
Winner: Blake Timm, Pacific (Ore.) - Mat Dreams: Pacific Relishes Role As Women's Wrestling Pioneers
Runner-up: Danny Barnts, CCAA - CCAA announces the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees

Historical Feature - Division I
Winner: Paul Coro, Grand Canyon - Supreme team: Lopes won 1st national title 50 years ago
Runner-up (tie): David Dietrich, Boise State - Leaving a Legacy
Runner-up (tie): Jason Erickson, Utah Valley - A New Era in Orem: The Story Behind UCCU Stadium’s Rise at Utah Valley

Season Recap/Preview - College Division
Winner: Jim Jeltema, Fresno Pacific - Forward, Together: The Story of FPU Athletics - Fall 2025
Runner-up: Tim Heiduk, Point Loma Nazarene - Sea Lions Defining the Mission Ahead of the 2025-26 Season

Season Recap/Preview - Division I
Winner: Paul Coro, Grand Canyon - Vet-laden team keeps sights set high
Runner-up: Andy Jobanek, Portland State - Vikings Enter First Year under Head Coach Karlie Burris in Build Mode

Social Justice/Diversity - College Division
Winner: Antonio Arredondo, George Fox - This Moment Means Something
Runner-up: Delanie Gearing, Cal Poly Pomona - Every Game, Every Dream: The Life-Changing Lessons of Women in Sports

Social Justice/Diversity - Division I
Winner: Paul Coro, Grand Canyon - Sudan, Omaha, GCU families molded Wur to soar

Student Submission - Division I
Winner: Kale Nelson, Southern Utah - From Basketball to a Baby: Brown Does It All
Runner-up: Halle Hadley, Brigham Young - No. 15 BYU Stays Perfect with 24-21 Rivalry Win Over No. 23 Utah