The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has released the winners of its annual state writing contest, and all first-, second- and third-place winners will be recognized during the TSWA Hall of Fame banquet on July 14, when University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes will be the guest speaker.
The Times Free Press had two writers earn recognition in multiple categories as Mark Wiedmer won first place for Best Event Writer and second place for Best Columnist behind John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Stephen Hargis, sports editor for the TFP, was named Best Prep Writer and took third place for Best Event Writer behind Wiedmer and Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Contest judges noted of Wiedmer’s work: “In each of his stories, he did a great job of making the reader feel as if they were at the event and took you behind the scenes.”
Of Hargis’ work, the judges said: “This writer does a ton of legwork and isn’t afraid to quickly put together all-encompassing stories, such as a look at the importance of football for a group of small-town rural schools.”