(29 entries)

Judge: Nick Cristiano, Features Copy Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer
Cristiano has been with the Philadelphia Inquirer for 10 years. Before joining the features desk, he edited copy and wrote headlines for sports and suburban news. He has won several awards for his headline writing.

First Place
MARTIN ROSALES
Arizona Daily Star
"Gender Claus/ Woman Santa sues over ouster," "Where's the fire? Physicists are making light slow down," "For N.Y.C. cabby, following market is moving experience"
"ŒGender Clause' and ŒWhere's the fire?' especially, are clever heads that brighten, and draw attention to, stories that might otherwise be overlooked."

Second Place
DAVID ORD
Arizona Daily Star
"Thrown to the lions," "In-conn-ceivable" and "D'backs against the wall"
"ŒThrown to the Lions' gives a vivid picture that perfectly caputures the nature of the game described. ŒD-Backs against the wall' and ŒIn-conn-ceivable' are examples of wordplay that works in concise and unforced ways."

Third Place
PAULA KELSO
The Arizona Republic
"HOV lanes earn their stripes," "'Doper central' undergoes rehab," "D-Backs' turf battle moves to Bermuda"
"ŒDoper central undergoes rehab' is particilarly good."