News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D. www.OHSAA.org | twitter.com/OHSAASports | facebook.com/OHSAA

For Immediate Release – April 12, 2016 Contact – Tim Stried, OHSAA Director of Information Services, [email protected]

Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Announces 2015 Award Winners John Kampf, Mark Hazelwood, Jake Furr and Todd Stumpf earn Sportswriter of the Year awards

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) held its annual state meeting Tuesday at the OHSAA offices, which included a media Q&A session on current topics with OHSAA Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross, two workshop sessions, and the unveiling of the 2015 writing and photography contest award winners (included below).

Earning “Sportswriter of the Year” honors in their respective divisions were John Kampf from the Willoughby News-Herald (Div. 1), Mark Hazelwood from the Sandusky Register (Div. 2), Jake Furr from the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum (Div. 3) and Todd Stumpf from The Post Newspapers in Medina (Div. 4). The contest, which received 480 entries from 56 contestants, consisted of articles and photos from the 2015 calendar year.

The workshop session on social media was led by Henry Conte and Kurt Snyder of the Media Network of Central Ohio. The session on working with fewer resources was led by Marc Pendleton of the Dayton Daily News.

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 www.ohsaa.org/news/OPSWA, which includes the membership directory, officers information, hall of fame inductees and other updates.

2015 OPSWA SPORTSWRITERS OF THE YEAR DIVISION 1 – John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald DIVISION 2 – Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register DIVISION 3 – Jake Furr, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum DIVISION 4 – Todd Stumpf, The Post Newspapers (Medina)

Certificates were handed out to contest placers, while the Writers of the Year each received an inscribed plaque with pen. The contest was judged by 38 sportswriters and photographers from around the state and was coordinated by Kevin Buerge and Tim Stried of the OHSAA. Judges included (listed alphabetically by newspaper): Jeff Harrison (Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian), John Stegeman (Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph), Tim Rogers (retired, Cleveland Plain Dealer), Tim Warsinskey (Cleveland Plain Dealer), Joe Scalzo (Canton Repository), Steve Blackledge (Columbus Dispatch), Barb Perenic (Columbus Dispatch), Scott Hennen (Columbus ThisWeek), Dave Purpura (Columbus ThisWeek), John Cummings (Dayton Daily News), Bruce Hefflinger (Defiance Crescent-News), Jamie Baker (Findlay Courier), Eric Frantz (jjhuddle.com), Jim Naveau (Lima News), Tom Usher (Lima News), Jon Spencer (Mansfield News Journal), Rick Noland (Medina Gazette), Todd Stumpf (Medina Post), Skip Weaver (Miami Valley Newspapers), Keith Spare (Morgan County Herald), Kurt Snyder (Newark Advocate), Scott Patsko (Northeast Ohio Media Group), Don Hohler (Norwalk Reflector), Julie Billings (Pike County News Watchman), Rob Kiser (Piqua Daily Call), Tom Nader (Ravenna Record Courier), Curt Conrad (Richland Source), Mark Hazelwood (Sandusky Register), Tony Maluso (formerly with the Tiffin Advertiser Tribune), Lonnie McMillan (Upper Sandusky Daily Chief Union), John Vargo (Warren Tribune Chronicle), John Kampf (Willoughby News-Herald), Scott Halasz (Xenia Daily Gazette), Chris Lillstrung (Willoughby News-Herald), Aaron Dorksen (Wooster Daily Record) and Sam Blackburn (Zanesville Times Recorder).

2015 OPSWA Writing Contest, Division and Category Results Point Totals: 1st Place = 6 points, 2nd = 4, 3rd = 3, 4th = 2, 5th = 1. Categories receiving less than 20 entries awarded three places, categories receiving 20-39 entries awarded four places and categories receiving 40 or more entries were awarded five places. The four divisions were based on circulation size.

Division 1 Division 1, Investigative/Enterprise (10 entries) 1. How Social Media Affects High School Football Recruiting - Scott Patsko, Cleveland.com 2. Lower Risk, Bigger Reward - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal 3. Technology Advancements Help Football Programs - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald

Division 1, News (17) 1. Ledgemont Community Says Good-bye - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald 2. Coaches Say OHSAA Concussion Protocol Is Good - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald 3. Oval And Oblong - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal

Division 1, Feature (21) 1. Harvey’s McGarvey Loses 145 Pounds to Wrestle - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald 2. Rotsky Family Readies For Big Weekend - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald 3. Allchin Responds to Adversity to Lead Kirtland - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald Tie-4. 20 Years Ago, Brunswick Challenged St. Ignatius - Scott Patsko, Cleveland.com Tie-4. Teammates For Life - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal Tie-4. So Capable of Slaying Giants - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal Tie-4. Finding His Way ‘Home’ - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal

Division 1, Column (17) 1. Broad Shoulders, Big Hearts Help Cope With Tragedy - Chris Lillstrung, Willoughby News Herald Tie-2. Should We Really Be Outraged - Scott Patsko, Cleveland.com Tie-2. Where Have All the State Basketball Tourney Fans Gone? - Jim Naveau, Lima News

Division 1, Game Story (20) 1. Comeback Kid: Jones Shares Title - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal 2. Knee Surgery Can’t Stop State Champion - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal 3. More Gold For Dom - Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal 4. Mentor Piles Up 833 Yards Vs. St. Ignatius - John Kampf, Willoughby News Herald

Division 1 Sportswriter of the Year – John Kampf, Willoughby News-Herald, 28.5 points (Two first place finishes, two second place finishes, one third place finish and one fourth place finish) Runner-Up: Jon Spencer, Mansfield News Journal – 21 Third Place: Scott Patsko, Cleveland.com – 10

Division 2 Division 2, Investigative/Enterprise (5 entries) 1. Margaretta Athletics: Past, Present & Future - Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register 2. Concussions a Concern Even in High School Sports - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier 3. Northwestern’s Carlson Optimistic - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record

Division 2, News (20) Tie-1. Opponents Scrambling to Fill Schedules - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier Tie-1. Michigan State Pulls Cupps’ Scholarship - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier 3. “If You’re Going to Give Us the 5th Seed, Come Play Us” - Rick Cassano, Hamilton Journal News Tie-4. Northwestern Community Rallies Around Carlson - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record Tie-4. Fifth Open Door Season Put on Hold - Jon Behm, Lorain Morning Journal Tie-4. Olympian Helping Local Athletes Hit Their Stride - Jeff Gilbert, Springfield News-Sun

Division 2, Feature (28) 1. Historic Return - Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register Tie-2. Monroe’s Blackburn Aiming For State Championship on Links - Rick Cassano, Hamilton Journal News

Tie-2. An Amazing Return to the Ice - Jon Behm, Lorain Morning Journal Tie-2. Streng Start - Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register

Division 2, Column (12) 1. Impacting Others - Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register Tie-2. Kahle Left Lasting Imprint on P-G Soccer Program - Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier Tie-2. Chippewa Beat Hiland in Historic Matchup of No. 1’s - Aaron Dorksen, Wooster Daily Record

Division 2, Game Story (32) 1. Wild Finish - Rick Cassano, Hamilton Journal News 2. First Time Champs - Sarah Baker, Sandusky Register 3. Smythe, CSCD Cut Through Chippewas for D-3 State Title - Mike Plant, Wooster Daily Record Tie-4. DeVore’s Dive Earns Van Buren Playoff Victory - Ted Radick, Findlay Courier Tie-4. Dunbar Ends Wildcats’ Season in OT Classic - Rick Cassano, Hamilton Journal News

Division 2 Sportswriter of the Year – Mark Hazelwood, Sandusky Register (Third Consecutive Year), 21 points (Three first place finishes, one second place finish) Runner-Up: Dave Henneman, Findlay Courier – 17.5 Third Place: Rick Cassano, Journal News – 13

Division 3 Division 3, Investigative/Enterprise (12 entries) 1. Many Attempting to Play Through Pain of Knee Injuries - Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate 2. Would a Switch to Wood Be Better for Baseball - Jake Furr, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum 3. Athletic Director Job Turnover Alarming - Jake Furr, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

Division 3, News (35) 1. Johnny Futbol - Rick Noland, Medina Gazette Tie-2. Bucks Lend a Helping Hand - Jake Furr, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum Tie-2. It’s Just Tennis - Rick Noland, Medina Gazette Tie-2. Lombardo on Move - Albert Grindle, Medina Gazette

Division 3, Feature (46) 1. Gulley Leaving Different Mark on Bucyrus Basketball - Jake Furr, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum 2. Davisons Bleed Blue Aces - Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate 3. Jenna Fesemyer - Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier 4. Valley Journey Fulfilled - Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate 5. Little Brother Tops Pair of Older Brother’s Records - Cody Leist, Maysville Ledger Independent

Division 3, Column (37) 1. Open Letter - Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier 2. Persh Rohrer - Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier 3. Being Appreciative - Bruce Hefflinger, Defiance Crescent-News Tie-4. Father’s Day - Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier Tie-4. The Way It Should Be - Rick Noland, Medina Gazette Tie-4. History-Making Grid Season Won’t Soon Be Forgotten - Jeff Harrison, Daily Jeffersonian

Division 3, Game Story (45) 1. Holding Onto Victory - Chris Miles, Madison Press 2. Clyde’s Witt Rebounds For Third - Tony Maluso, Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune 3. Dartis Stands Alone as All-Time Leading Scorer - Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate 4. Blue Aces to State Title - Dave Weidig, Newark Advocate 5. St. Thomas Wins Triple Crown - Mike Brown, Alliance Review

Division 3 Sportswriter of the Year – Jake Furr, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, 16 points (One first place finish, two second place finishes and one third place finish) Runner-Up: Tom Nader, Kent-Ravenna Record-Courier – 13.67

Third Place: Rick Noland, Medina Gazette – 9.67

Division 4 Division 4, Investigative/Enterprise (6 entries) 1. Tough Love, Tougher Struggle - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers 2. Top 25 Teams Since 1990 in Central Ohio - Jarrod Ulrey, This Week Newspapers 3. Adding Mercy Rule “Worth a Conversation” - Jarrod Ulrey, This Week Newspapers

Division 4, News (21) 1. Chippewa Remembers Lost Head Coach - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers 2. Loved Ones Celebrate Soccer Player - Frank DiRenna, This Week Newspapers 3. Emotions Ran High in Wayne, Springfield Game - Bryant Billing, TopBillingSports.com 4. Steve Hall Passes Away - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers

Division 4, Feature (27) 1. AD Burke Laments Time with Cougars - Frank DiRenna, This Week Newspapers 2. Varner’s Dash is Throwing Foe for Loop - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers Tie-3. Resilient Comer Devoted To Game - Scott Hennen, This Week Newspapers Tie-3. South Coach Reaches Milestone - Frank DiRenna, This Week Newspapers

Division 4, Column (9) 1. Lombardo’s Words Typical of a Coach Moving On - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers 2. Medina’s ‘Swarm’ Answers Punishment - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers 3. Risk of Injury Can Be Worth Reward for Multi-Sport Athletes - Jarrod Ulrey, This Week Newspapers

Division 4, Game Story (27) 1. Tri-Village Survives Late Harvest Prep Run for Div. IV Title - Bryant Billing, TopBillingSports.com 2. Centerville Foursome Wins State Title - Skip Weaver, Miami Valley Newspapers 3. Chipps Fall in State Semis - Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers 4. Hartley Coach Used Underdog Status as Rallying Tool - Jarrod Ulrey, This Week Rocky Fork Enterprise

Division 4 Sportswriter of the Year – Todd Stumpf, Medina Post Newspapers (Second Year in a Row), 25 Points (Three first place finishes, one second place finish and one third place finish) Runner-Up: Frank DiRenna, This Week Newspapers – 12.5 Third Place, Tie: Bryant Billing, TopBillingSports.com – 9 Third Place, Tie: Jarrod Ulrey, This Week Newspapers – 9

Photography Division – Portrait 1. Power Towers - Angela Wilhelm, Sandusky Register 2. Passing The Baton - Amber Hatten, Bellevue Gazette 3. Raise It High - Tony Maluso, Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune

Photography Division – Game Action 1. Raise Your Hands - Jay Gehres, Madison Press 2. Meeting at the Mound - Dylan Hefflinger, Defiance Crescent-News 3. In The Spotlight - Angela Wilhelm, Sandusky Register HM - Game Action # 3 - Jerry Harrington, Norwalk Reflector HM - Blanton Fights Through Triple Team - Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman

Tim Stried Director of Information Services Ohio High School Athletic Association 614-267-2502, ext. 124 office

[email protected] www.OHSAA.org www.Twitter.com/OHSAASports www.Facebook.com/OHSAA 614-267-1677 fax 4080 Roselea Place Columbus, OH 43214