Hazelwood runners-up as Writer of the Year
May 4—COLUMBUS — The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association announced the results of its annual writing and photography contest on Wednesday, with Writer of the Year honors going to Jake Furr from the Mansfield News Journal in Division 1, and Rob McCurdy of the Marion Star in Division 2.
Norwalk Reflector Sports Editor Mark Hazelwood was runners-up for Writer of the Year in Division 2.
In his 18-year writing career — including the past six at the Reflector — Hazelwood has earned 83 writing awards from the Associated Press, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and the OPSWA.
Furr, a graduate of Plymouth High School, is a former sports editor at the Norwalk Reflector.
The contest included submissions from the 2022 calendar year and was judged by OPSWA. 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.
Results of the photography contest will be announced at a later date.
OPSWA membership now stands at 212 writers and photographers around the state. Founded in 1972, the Ohio Prep Sportswriters 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 ohsaa.org/news/OPSWA and includes the membership directory, officers information, hall of fame inductees and other updates.
-----------
2022 OPSWA SPORTSWRITERS OF THE YEAR
DIVISION 1 — Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal
DIVISION 2 — Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
2022 OPSWA Writing Contest, Division and Category Results
Two divisions based on circulation size. Point totals for Writer of the Year: 1st Place = 8 points, 2nd = 6 points, 3rd = 5 points, 4th = 3 points. Number of placers dependent on number of entries in each category.
Division 1 — Daily Circulation over 10,000 and Websites
Division 1, Game Stories
1. Jeff Gilbert, Dayton Daily News
2. Aaron Blankenship, SB Live Sports
3. Bruce Hooley, PressProsMagazine.com
4. Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal
Division 1, News Stories
1. Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal
2. Curt Conrad, Richland Source
3. John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald
Division 1, Feature Stories
1. Steve Blackledge, PressProsMagazine.com
2. John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald
3. Bruce Hooley, PressProsMagazine.com
4. Chris Lillstrung, Willoughby News-Herald
Division 1, Columns
1. Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal
2. Chris Lillstrung, Willoughby News-Herald
3. John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald
Division 1 Writer of the Year: Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal (19 points)
Runner-up: John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald (16 points)
Division 2 — All Other Daily Newspapers (4+ Editions Per Week)
Division 2, Game Stories
1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
2. Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate
3. Aaron Gross, Defiance Crescent-News
4. Bryant Billing, Sidney Daily News
Division 2, News Stories
1. Jarrod Ulrey, Columbus ThisWeek Community News
2. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
3. Matt Horn, Fremont News-Messenger
Division 2, Feature Stories
1. Tom Nader, Portage Sports
2. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector
3. Todd Stumpf, Medina Weekly
Division 2, Columns
1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star
2. Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Tie-3. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector
Tie-3. Todd Stumpf, Medina Weekly
Division 2 Writer of the Year: Rob McCurdy, Marion Star (22 points)
Runner-up: Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector (10 points)
