NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Daily Iberian was one of several newspapers around the state to receive praise for their sports coverage in 2022 at the annual Louisiana Sports Writers Association awards brunch on Sunday.

Sports Director Matthew Louviere’s coverage of Carli Judice’s amazing first-round knockout victory in her first professional MMA fight won first place in the Pro-College Event, Class II category.

The judges remarked that Louviere’s story was able to create a compelling narrative even though the event lasted just a few seconds.

“Imagine covering an event – a baseball game, a golf match, an auto race – that lasted just 17 seconds. Through outstanding reporting, the winning author created a compelling story despite the quick ending to a Mixed Martial Arts event,” wrote the judges.

Also winning first place was frequent sports contributor Michael Odendahl. His photo of post-game celebrations at the 2022 LHSAA Boys Basketball State Championship elicited mixed emotions from the judges.

“This photo placed first because of the moment of joy captured here juxtaposed with the sadness seen in the other team on the left side of the screen,” wrote one judge. “It’s a really nice image that communicates what is happening without needing to read the caption.”

Odendahl’s photo took first place in the Prep-Amateur Photography, Open Class category.

2022 LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONTEST

Awards presented July 30, 2023, Natchitoches, La.

WRITING

PRO EVENT — CLASS I

1) ROD WALKER, The Advocate

Story on Pelicans being eliminated from the playoffs

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Story has a strong lede, and the writer puts it into perfect context. Strong phrasing here: “These weren’t ordinary tears, though. These were tears of sadness, tears of love and tears of pride, all mixed together for a coach who led this team far beyond where it looked like it was heading when the season began.” I learned what “lagniappe” was. It’s an obscure reference, but it kept me interested. This story reads like a column and a game story, and it doesn’t get hung up on play by play. The second time reading through it, I enjoyed the story even more. That’s the staying power. It’s an excellent combination of color and impact. The writer does a good job of incorporating both.

2) Amie Just, The Advocate

Story on Los Angeles Rams’ win over Bengals in Super Bowl

3) Will Guillory, The Athletic

Story on Zion Williamson scores a career-high 43 points in win

HM) Terrin Waack, The Advocate

Story on Andy Dalton’s MNF struggles continue in loss to Cardinals

COLLEGE EVENT — CLASS I

1) TEDDY ALLEN, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A story on Louisiana Tech’s baseball season coming to an end

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Great lead. Really sets up the emotion of the story and the culmination of a year-long journey. I love the way the story works its way through the tournament’s ups and downs and the way the writer points out the cruelty of baseball not coming down to the final seconds and the hopefulness of that two-out rally to continue your season. The writer puts you at the tournament, in the players’ and parents’ minds. Just an overall great use of fun writing.

2) Jim Kleinpeter, The Advocate

Story on Southern’s historic first football meeting with LSU

3) Ron Higgins, Tiger Details

Story of LSU’s football dramatic win over Alabama

HM) Jeff Duncan, The Advocate

Story on of Tulane’s football win over Memphis

PRO-COLLEGE EVENT — CLASS II

1) MATTHEW LOUVIERE, The Daily Iberian

Story on MMA fighter Carli Judice picks up win in first pro fight

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Imagine covering an event – a baseball game, a golf match, an auto race – that lasted just 17 seconds. Through outstanding reporting, the winning author created a compelling story despite the quick ending to a Mixed Martial Arts event.

2) Joey Martin, The Concordia Sentinel

Barlow shines in final game for collegiate wooden bat baseball team

3) Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal

Story on La. Tech baseball’s attitude towards military opponent

HM) T. Scott Boatright, Lincoln Parish Journal

Story on Grambling-Southern football game

PREP EVENT — CLASS I

1) LES EAST, Crescent City Sports

Story on Division III Non-Select football state championship game

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Excellent decision to make focus of the game story – the story of a legendary high school player in defeat. And strong execution.

2) Teddy Allen, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A story on Benton and Haughton wild shootout football game.

3) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A story on Byrd’s win over Natchitoches Central

HM) J.J. Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A story on Loyola-North Caddo game

PREP EVENT — CLASS II

1) CHRIS SINGLETON, HOUMA COURIER

Story on Vandebilt winning first baseball title in 51 years

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: I was hooked on the story from start to finish. The Vandebilt baseball team was playing for a lot more than just themselves, and I really felt that human-interest side of the story. Well done.

2) Jake Martin, The Ouachita Citizen

Story on OCS winning eighth state championship

3) Tony Marks, Oakdale Journal

A story about Fairview advancing to semifinals

HM) Kyle Roberts, Lincoln Parish Journal

A story on Ruston taking on West Monroe

PRO COLUMN — CLASS I

1) DOUG IRELAND, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A column on Louisiana native Bill Russell’s legacy

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: An incredible job of taking a story about a national figure in Bill Russell and tying it back to his complicated roots in Louisiana. Great anecdote about not signing autographs. Though he might never be honored in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, his legend should certainly live on, as the writer notes at the end. Good, well-rounded, thoughtful piece.

2) John Marcase, The Town Talk

A column on the Saints’ true rivals being the 49ers, Rams

3) Adam Hunsucker, Tiger Rag

A column on how Joe Burrow’s status as a football coaching job creator

HM) J.J. Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A column on lessons remembered from Joe Delaney’s death

COLLEGE COLUMN — CLASS I

1) ADAM HUNSUCKER, Tiger Rag

A column on Kim Mulkey’s complicated relationship with former star pupil Brittney Griner

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A provocative and thoughtful piece that transcends sports, skewers the surface-level platitudes of the controversy and really gets down to business. The writer’s distaste for the “perverse culture war” is evident – as it well should be – and rightfully calls out the “thoughts and prayers” cliche as empty-headed and performative. Strong takes, and correct ones. This is a model piece of writing. Well done.

2) Les East, Saturday Down South

A column on LSU firing men’s basketball coach Will Wade

3) Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times

A column on my contact with the late Eddie Robinson

HM) Teddy Allen, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A column on LA Tech’s Bulldog Baseball Bromance with coach Lane Burroughs

PREP COLUMN — CLASS I

1) JEFF DUNCAN, The Advocate

Column on Arch Manning picked college destination the right way – the Manning Way

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The writer offered insight and perspective into one of the biggest sports stories of the year in the state and in so doing held the reader’s attention from start to finish. It was easy to note the writer was well-connected with those who played key roles in the story.

2) Les East, Crescent City Sports

Column on LHSAA split between “select” and “non-select” schools

3) Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times

Column on how to fix the broken softball playoff system in Louisiana

HM) Ken Trahan, Crescent City Sports

Column on reunified LHSAA state football championships are success

GENERAL SPORTS COLUMN — CLASS II

1) RAYMOND PARTSCH III, Kinder Courier News

A column on the where everything means more – the mighty and corrupt SEC

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A very pointed column and a strong commentary how money rules SEC sports (and all sports). Excellent research, backs up the opinion with a litany of important and often forgotten perpetrators. Things are different in the SEC? This column follows that thought to completion in a compelling, entertaining and informative manner. Easily the best in class in this category.

2) Joey Martin, The Concordia Sentinel

A column on how LHSAA blunders continue

3) Jake Martin, The Ouachita Citizen

A column on how OCS offers blueprint for success

HM) Hunter Bower, Geaux Preps

A column on how LHSAA membership should shift focus

PRO FEATURE — CLASS I

1) AMIE JUST, The Advocate

Feature on Saints players reflecting on Sean Payton’s career

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: It was a marvelous behind-the-scenes feature on Sean Payton, letting us know his inner-feelings and sentiments preparing for his farewell news conference. We are provided a colorful, detailed look into the man’s soul talking to those who he touched. The details were fascinating, from accidentally taking Ambien instead of his blood pressure medicine to the compassion he showed Demario Davis to his surreal football acumen. It was a fabulous comprehensive look at the man told through voices that made the piece so compelling.

2) Luke Johnson, The Advocate

Feature on Saints VP of football administration Khai Harley

3) Kevin Foote, The Acadiana Advocate

Feature on how sports fan Greg Gautreaux built a lengthy career as an NFL official

HM) Will Guillory, The Athletic

Feature on CJ McCollum’s meticulous thought process ahead of his trade to New Orleans

COLLEGE FEATURE — CLASS I

1) WILSON ALEXANDER, The Advocate

Feature on LSU’s “other” Super Bowl quarterback – David Woodley

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This was a tricky story to tell, but the writer handled it with an amazing touch. Great lead and kicker, but everything in the middle of this well-sourced piece kept the story moving and kept me engaged. Tremendous piece.

2) Ron Higgins, Tiger Details

Feature story on the SEC Skywriters tour

3) Amie Just, The Advocate

Feature on Loyola player offering free rides to coaches at Final Four

HM) Leah Vann, The Advocate

Feature on the 2023 football recruiting class is last of the ‘Katrina Kids’

PREP FEATURE — CLASS I

1) JIMMY WATSON, Shreveport Times

Feature on Minden football standout Makhi Reed overcoming mom’s addiction

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A strongly reported and well-written feature that doesn’t strain for the happy ending that may not exist.

2) Les East, Crescent City Sports

Feature on the state of summer baseball in greater New Orleans area

3) Teddy Allen, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Feature on impregnated wife behind Prep Coach of the Year

HM) Robin Fambrough, The Advocate

Feature on how McKinley coach Ron Allen balances personal tragedy, team triumph

GENERAL SPORTS FEATURE — CLASS II

1) LAMAR GAFFORD, The Town Talk

Feature on Hicks’ basketball teams navigating loss of gym with outdoor basketball court of dirt

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This story has the best combination of prose, a strong lead and great flow with the details to capture the reader. You get invested right away about the Hicks basketball teams and what their current state is. There is fine sourcing of the information and the quotes are used well, all the way through the end.

2) Jake Martin, The Ouachita Citizen

Feature on Claiborne Christian coach and family

3) Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal

Feature on Cedar Creek Linebacker Quincy Lewis

HM) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

Feature on Stacy Hollowell’s path to winning national title

BREAKING NEWS — OPEN CLASS

1) CHRISTIAN CLARK, The Advocate

Story on Zion Williamson’s mega-deal has clauses tied to weight issues

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A tight and clearly-written piece that thoroughly explains a team’s decision to enter a nine-figure contract with a player that hasn’t lived up to expectations. The piece expertly uses previous reporting and background to tell a story that never gets farther into the weeds than necessary.

2) Tony Taglavore, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on Louisiana Downs to Cancel Super Derby

3)Sheldon Mickles, The Advocate

Story on Murray State’s Matt McMahon accepting LSU head coaching job

HM) Leah Vann, The Advocate

Story on Paul Mainieri says he won’t return to coach at Notre Dame

AMATEUR SPORTS — OPEN CLASS

1) JEFF DUNCAN, The Advocate

New Orleans’ City Park hosted world’s greatest athletes in 1992

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: In a category with a number of good stories, the writer stands out by actually putting in the work. These days, the retelling of a 30-year old tale is invariably slapped together as an oral history. Often effective, but almost always lazy. That’s not the case here as the author actually tells the story while weaving in the recollections of those involved in New Orleans’ improbable bid to host the 1992 U.S. Olympic track and field trials. The whole premise is absurd. Asking anyone to run at full speed in New Orleans in June? Without a real track and field facility? How the heck did that happen? This story understands why it was so unlikely, and explains how it all came together.

2) Rod Walker, The Advocate

A story on Crescent City Classic runner with Down syndrome is first to wear No. 321

3) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A feature/column on local ties to Boston Marathon

HM) Teddy Allen, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

A story on cousin Kevin being USA’s secret weapon in Presidents Cup win

OUTDOORS WRITING — OPEN CLASS

1) RAYMOND PARTSCH III, Kinder Courier News

A feature on Oberlin hunter Heidi Manuel who honors her late father

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A touching and economically told story with a fine balance of trenchant facts and lively quotes.

2) Glenn Quebedeaux, Crowley Post Signal

Story on Rondell Joseph realizing dream with tournament victory

3) Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette

A story about Roberie turns childhood hobby into career

HM) Louis Bonnette, Lake Charles American Press

A column on a tree climbing dog that tracks squirrels

PREP-AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY — OPEN CLASS

1) MICHAEL ODENDAHL, Geaux Preps

Photo of G.W. Carver basketball player & team celebrating long-waited state title win

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This photo placed first because of the moment of joy captured here juxtaposed with the sadness seen in the other team on the left side of the screen. It’s a really nice image that communicates what is happening without needing to read the caption.

2) Sophia Germer, The Advocate

Photo of Sarah T. Reed HS plays its first game since Hurricane Katrina

3) Michael Johnson, The Advocate

Photo from American Legion championship game

HM) Josh McDaniel, Lincoln Parish Journal

Photo of Cedar Creek blocks FG in jamboree

COLLEGE-PRO PHOTOGRAPHY — OPEN CLASS

1) SCOTT THRELKELD, The Advocate

Photo of Pelicans’ C.J. McCollum throws down a dunk as Zion Williamson celebrates

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This image placed first because of great motion and composition. Love the feeling of a team’s shared enthusiasm. It really communicates the root of what it means to be a team: celebrating your teammates’ victories just as you would yours.

2) Sophia Germer, The Advocate

Photo of Pelicans’ Zion Williamson goes in for a dunk in game with Golden State

3) Jonathan Mailhes, Tiger Rag

Photo of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels scores a TD in overtime to beat Alabama

HM) Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette

Photo of LSU playing Southern Miss in Hattiesburg Regional

MAJOR AWARDS

BEST SECTION — OPEN CLASS

1) THE ADVOCATE

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Bold, artistic graphics and illustrations immediately catch the eye. It’s not hard to imagine an LSU football fan, for instance, holding onto issues as keepsakes (the Sep. 24 LSU Gameday cover illustration of kicker Cole Tracey is particularly impressive). The time and attention devoted to layout and design is obvious, but all the other nuts and bolts of a great section are present – a wealth of info boxes, solid headlines and great photo choices. Of course, and most importantly, there is a wealth of locally written and developed content. Given the state of print journalism in the year 2023, Advocate readers should consider themselves lucky; this is likely one of the better sports sections in the country.

2) Lake Charles American Press

PREP WRITER OF THE YEAR — CLASS I

1) JIMMY WATSON, SHREVEPORT TIMES

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Every writer in this category had at least one standout piece, so first place was not earned cheaply. And the gap between first two places was incredibly narrow. Both authors had must-read stories touching on the death of Huntington High basketball player Devin Myers — one a column, the other a game story. It was a tough task that both handled with tact and respect. I hope readers read both in the wake of the tragedy.

It was the story of Minden football player Makhi Reed that helped make the difference. The honesty the reporter elicits from Reed, his grandparents, and his mother who has battled drug addiction is eye-opening, heart-rending and also heartwarming. A story well-told, and mostly told by its subjects. It’s also tough to judge a category with a story as personal as the column about the passing of the author’s father. Not every writer has such an emotionally affecting story to share. But the writer’s ability to turn this eulogy into a sports story that made us care about a man the reader had likely never met was impressive. All in all, a well-rounded collection of sports writing.

2) J.J. Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

3) Les East, Crescent City Sports

HM) Robin Fambrough, The Advocate

PREP WRITER OF THE YEAR – CLASS II

1) JAKE MARTIN, THE OUACHITA CITIZEN

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Fishing partnerships, state championship-winning performances, near-death experiences and scheduling controversy. The writer gave us a little bit of everything, and presented it to us in a detailed and informative fashion. Solid work all around.

2) Raymond Partsch III, Kinder Courier News

3) Hunter Bower, Geaux Preps

HM) Joey Martin, Concordia Sentinel

BEAT WRITER OF THE YEAR — OPEN CLASS

1) RON HIGGINS, Tiger Details

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This is a true storyteller in a quite competitive writing competition. Like most in this division, the writer knows the beat and credibility is above reproach. But this writer also has a good understanding of the beat’s history and punctuates details with bits of stories from the past that lend creativity and knowledge that sets these stories apart.

2) Christian Clark, The Advocate

3) Terrin Waack, The Advocate

HM) Kevin Foote, The Acadiana Advocate

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR — CLASS I

1) J.J. MARSHALL, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The column about the lives and deaths of Devin Myers and Jimmy Orton was powerful and did a great job juxtaposing a young life being lost to senseless violence and an older life lost after having what can be considered a full life of accomplishments. One had so much to look forward to, the other had so much to look back on, and the column did an excellent job of expressing that. The column about goodbye letters from college athletes entering the transfer portal is interesting and I like how it was written by “translating” what it means. I don’t necessarily agree with every point made, but I did enjoy reading how it was written and the overarching point. The final column had a good anecdote about a player who was not voted all-state and who that player turned out to be (Marshall Faulk). I happen to agree with this stance about too many players being on all-district teams and why that may be the case. But connecting it to the anecdote was also very good.

2) Jeff Duncan, The Advocate

3) Rod Walker, The Advocate

HM) Adam Hunsucker, Tiger Rag

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR — CLASS II

1) RAYMOND PARTSCH III, Kinder Courier News

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The winning entry expertly offered the best traits of column-writing with this trifecta – the biting critique, a reasoned analysis and glowing praise.

2) Jake Martin, The Ouachita Citizen

3) Joey Martin, The Concordia Sentinel

HM) Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette

STORY OF THE YEAR

WILSON ALEXANDER, The Advocate

Feature on LSU’s “other” Super Bowl quarterback – David Woodley

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This is outstanding story telling of a complicated figure in LSU sports history. What stands out in the feature is its background depth and multiple voices. Perhaps the most telling nugget in the piece is the revelation by some of his Miami Dolphin teammates that they had seen Woodley selling jewelry in the team parking lot before games after his NFL career ended. Also, Woodley’s ex-wife is the voice that shapes the story, by what she says and what she refuses to expound upon. Finally, the use of short quotes is impactful in its brevity, emphatically supporting the feature’s tragic storyline.”

SPORTS WRITER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to the writer who accumulates the most points (points awarded on a 3-2-1 basis) in regular writing categories. Points are NOT awarded for Prep Writer of the Year, Beat Writer of the Year, Columnist of the Year, or Story of the Year.

LES EAST, Crescent City Sports & Saturday Down South

9 points (one first, three seconds)

NEWSPAPER SWEEPSTAKES

(points awarded on a 3-2-1 basis in all categories in regular writing contest except for Story of the Year; first-place awards in parentheses)

CLASS I

The Advocate (7), 36 points

Shreveport-Bossier Journal (2), 13 points

Crescent City Sports, (1) 7

Shreveport Times (1) 5

Tiger Rag (1) 5

Tiger Details, 3

Saturday Down South, 2

The Athletic, 1

CLASS II

Kinder Courier News (2) 6

The Town Talk, (1) 5

The Ouachita Citizen, 5

The Concordia Sentinel, 4

The Daily Iberian, (1) 3

Houma Courier, (1) 3

Geaux Preps, (1) 3

Crowley Post Signal, 2

Oakdale Journal, 2

Lincoln Parish Journal, 2