(23 entries)

Judge: Don Skwar, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports, Boston Globe
Skwar has run the Boston Globe's sports department since 1989. In addition to his current position he also has served as executive sports editor, assistant sports editor and Sports plus editor. In addition to the Globe, he also has worked at the Boston Herald and the Morristown (N.J.) Daily Record.

First Place
NORM FRAUENHEIM
The Arizona Republic
"Who has weirdest fights"
"The account of Mike Tyson's bout with Orlin Norris was cleverly written, excellently constructed, and had plenty of insight and background on Tyson. The story was strongly supported by quoted but didn't get bogged down by a string of them. It written under tight deadline pressure yet contained everything you needed to know about the fight and the aftermath."

Second Place
NORM FRAUENHEIM
The Arizona Republic
"Colangelo sad it ended like this"
"A wonderful synopsis not just of Charles Barkley's career but also ­ and probably more importantly to Arizona readers ­ the chunk of time Barkley spent in Phoenix. Great anecdotes to support the character of Barkley, all written the night he announced his retirement."

Third Place
MIKE TULUMELLO
The Tribune
"Head coach opts to resign for wife, 6 kids"
"The introduction sets it apart from a flood of stories writtten about Ainge's resignation. Interesting analysis throughout the narrative."