Daily News Journal writer Cecil Joyce won two national awards for reporting in the 2023 Associated Press Sports Editors' annual sports journalism contest.
Mr. Joyce was named Top 10 in the Feature D category for his article about Janae Edmonson, a tragic Smyrna volleyball player who lost both legs when she was hit by a car.
Joyce also won for his short story about twin brothers and high school football coaches Matt and Will Krieske previewing the Blackman vs. Riverdale game.
Sports editors and journalists from around the country voted for the top 10 in various writing, website, print newspaper and photography categories, divided into four divisions based on newspaper circulation and digital readership size. .
The exact order of the writing contest will be announced at a later date.
These honors are among 20 awards received by USA TODAY Network (Tennessee).
Tennessee football beat writer Adam Sparks of Knox News made the top 10 for his authoritative investigative article that aggregates all entries into one category rather than four circulation divisions. He led the network with five total wins.
Four of the network's news organizations were recognized: The Tennessean, Knox News, The Commercial Appeal and Daily News Journal.
- Knox News received nine listings in the B category. Briana Pacholka took the feature photo. A spark of breaking news, investigations, explanations, breaking news and event coverage. Mike Wilson handles beat writing and breaking news. Our Top 10 print portfolio showcases the best in daily and Sunday coverage.
- The Tennessee native earned four spots in the B Division. Ranked among the top 10 digital websites. Mike Ogan and Em Poertner were named to the top 10 in a series of high school football team projects dating back to the 1960s. Top 10 action photos of Andrew Nells. Honorable mention for print portfolio.
- It was ranked 5th in the C category in Commercial Appeal. Jason Mantz won for beat writing, feature and short story. and Damechael Cole for beat writing and short features.
