Hazelwood, Root honored by OPSMA

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association held its annual member meeting on May 1, and announced the results of its annual writing and photography contest. The contest included submissions from the 2024 calendar year and was judged by OPSMA members. There were four writing categories in two divisions based on circulation size. Each category was judged by two members from another division. Writers and photographers were judged on a body of work that included three submissions per category. In Division II — for newspapers with a daily circulation under 10,000 — Norwalk Reflector sports editor Mark Hazelwood added three writing awards. Freelance photographer Kathy Root also earned recognition in the standalone action photography contest. Hazelwood earned first place in column writing for three stories. They included a column the career of St. Paul football coach John Livengood after his retirement; a double rainbow forming at a Norwalk football game in the days after the death of a student; and on the instant classic football game between rivals St. Paul and Monroeville in the final game of the regular season. Hazelwood earned second in feature writing. Those stories included Evan Wangler's play carrying St. Paul basketball to a Firelands Conference title; the decline of participation numbers in area high school girls basketball; and the volleyball bond between Norwalk standout Lucy Schlotterer and her mother, Rachel, an assistant coach. In news stories, Hazelwood placed fifth for stories on a scholarship raised in honor of late NHS coach Ron DeLuca; the retirement of Monroeville boys basketball coach Paul Roeder; and the opening of Monroeville's new track and field facility. In his nearly 20-year writing career — including the past seven-plus years at the Reflector — Hazelwood has earned 96 writing awards from the Associated Press, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and the OPSMA. Root earned third place in action photography for Norwalk girls soccer's Abby Koenig attempting to score vs. Woodmore; Norwalk softball's Audryn Ott sliding into home plate in a game at Tiffin that saw the team win its first-ever league title; and Edison running back Luke Blatnik scoring a touchdown at Norwalk as he landed on a teammate. OPSMA membership now stands at 218 writers and photographers around the state. Founded in 1972, the Ohio Prep Sports Media 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 ohsaa.org/news/OPSWA and includes the membership directory, officers information, hall of fame inductees and other updates. ---------------------- 2024 OPSMA writing contest Division II (All other daily newspapers)Game stories1. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette 2. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star3. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier 4. Jonah Rosenblum, Ravenna Record-Courier5. Stephen Forsha, Highland County PressNews stories1. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star2. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier 3. Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman4. Keith Spare, Morgan County Herald5. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk ReflectorFeature stories1. Dave Hanneman, Findlay Courier 2. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector3. Jonah Rosenblum, Ravenna Record-Courier4. Brandon Hannah, Zanesville Times-Recorder5. Rick Noland, Medina GazetteColumns1. Mark Hazelwood, Norwalk Reflector2. Rob McCurdy, Marion Star3. Rick Noland, Medina Gazette4. Steven Wright, Xenia Daily Gazette5. Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle GazetteWriter of the Year: Rob McCurdy, Marion Star Action photography contest1. Rick Cassano, Southwest Ohio Sports Daily 2. Michael Cooper, Dayton Daily News3. Kathy Root, Norwalk Reflector4. Julie Billings, Pike County News Watchman