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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association held its annual member meeting last Thursday, May 1, and announced the results of its annual writing and photography contest. Writer of the Year honors went to John Kampf from the Willoughby News-Herald in Division I, and Rob McCurdy of the Marion Star in Division 2.

 

The contest included submissions from the 2024 calendar year and was judged by OPSMA members. There were four writing categories in two divisions based on circulation size. Each category was judged by two members from another division. Writers and photographers were judged on a body of work that included three submissions per category.

 

OPSMA membership now stands at 218 writers and photographers around the state. Founded in 1972, the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association works to support and enhance the coverage of high school sports in Ohio and to recognize superior writing among sports journalists. In 2010, the OPSWA partnered with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to create a website, establish electronic communications and increase its membership and recognition.

 

The OPSWA website is located at http://www.ohsaa.org/news/OPSWA and includes the membership directory, officers information, hall of fame inductees and other updates.

 

DIVISION 1 – John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald

DIVISION 2 – Rob McCurdy, Marion Star  

 

Number of placers dependent on number of entries in each category.

 

1. John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald

2. Aaron Blankenship, SB Live Sports

3. Curt Conrad, Richland Source

4. Rick Cassano, Southwest Ohio Sports Daily

5. Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch

 

1. Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch

2. Curt Conrad, Richland Source

3. John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald

4. Dave Purpura, Columbus Dispatch

5. Rick Cassano, Southwest Ohio Sports Daily

 

1. Dave Purpura, Columbus Dispatch

2. Curt Conrad, Richland Source

3. Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch

4. Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer

5. Steve Junga, Toledo Blade  

 

1. John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald

2. Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal  

3. Curt Conrad, Richland Source  

 

     Runner-up: Curt Conrad, Richland Source (14 points, placed in all four categories)

     Third-place: Frank DiRenna, Columbus Dispatch (10 points)

 

 

1. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette  

2. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star

3. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier   

4. Jonah Rosenblum, Ravenna Record-Courier

5. Stephen Forsha, Highland County Press

 

1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star

2. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier  

3. Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman

4. Keith Spare, Morgan County Herald

5. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector

 

1. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier  

2. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector

3. Jonah Rosenblum, Ravenna Record-Courier

4. Brandon Hannah, Zanesville Times-Recorder

5. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette

 

1. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector

2. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star

3. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette

4. Steven Wright, Xenia Daily Gazette

5. Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

 

Division 2 Writer of the Year: Rob McCurdy, Marion Star (14 points, had one first-place entry and placed in two other categories)

     Runner-up: Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier (13 points, had one first-place entry and placed in two other categories

     Third-place: Rick Noland, Medina Gazette (10 points)

 

 

1. Rick Cassano, Southwest Ohio Sports Daily  

2. Michael Cooper, Dayton Daily News

3. Kathy Root, Norwalk Reflector

4. Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman