1st Place, Feature Writing – Sports
2021-22, Division 3, Yearbook Verbal
By Keira Heinz
The Gull
Gull Lake HS
Senior captain Riley Folk knew they had to start preparing for their upcoming season as soon as possible. The reason? Last year he said they were projected to “win it all,” and the team ended up getting upset in the first game of the playoffs.
“We let that feeling of losing drive us all summer to make sure it wouldn’t happen again,” Folk said.
He said they pushed as hard as they could and ended up making history for the team.
“When the time came for playoffs, we were prepared and motivated to make sure we weren’t on the losing side,” Folk said.
It was 23 years ago, in 1993, that the last time the boys’ soccer team last won a state title.
“We used this as motivation as well to win that state champ,” junior captain Austin Boucher said.
This motivation of making history pushed them to their limits to become champions.
“I think what was so special about this year’s team is that we weren’t a bunch of good individuals, but more of a great team,” Folk said. “The guys we had this year made it feel more like a family rather than a varsity team, and in the end, I think that’s what let us get further than last year.”
Folk said this win was huge not only for the team, but also the whole school. Boucher agreed. He said it filled him with emotion.
“I am not a guy to normally let my emotions go, but I cried tears of joy after the last game,” Boucher said. “Just seeing that all the hard work paid off, and to get to where we wanted from the beginning of the season was simply amazing. I am going to remember that moment for the rest of my life.”
Y-04. Feature Writing – Sports
A single story that goes beyond traditional news coverage of a game or season to spotlight an unusual aspect, a controversy, team life, a key athletic competition or any other human-interest angle (who, why and how) relevant to student athletics.
Judging Criteria
- Clear, relevant, engaging human-interest angle
- Solid lead that draws reader into story
- The conclusion ties back to the central point of the story and leaves an impression on the reader by using a powerful quote, vivid anecdote or important point that acts as a “kicker.”
- Meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing
- Evidence of adequate research
- Story meaningfully adds to sports coverage; may include personality profile, informative, interpretive (why), and/or human-interest feature specifically related to sports.
- Adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice, freedom from editorial comment, careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors, correct use of grammar