Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Los Angeles Times Entry Title: LZ Granderson Entry Credit: LZ Granderson Judge Comment: These two columns really stood out from the field for several reasons. Both were topical, had strong opinion, were educational and included gripping personal stories. Most important, both moved me... made me feel. Bravo.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: San Francisco Chronicle Entry Title: San Francisco Chronicle: Ann Killion Entry Credit: Ann Killion Judge Comment: Ann Killion did a great job connected Colin Kaepernick's protests that caused so much controversy to the death of George Floyd. If Kaepernick's protests had been more widely accepted, would George Floyd be alive today? She makes a very strong case. Her other column was an interesting blend of history and social injustice in the hiring practices of professional sports teams. And she included calls for action.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The San Diego Union-Tribune Entry Title: Kobe Gave In To Dark Side of Youth Sports / Bulked-up Bryson Win May Cause PED Issues Entry Credit: Mark Zeigler Judge Comment: Mark Zeigler deftly raised the issue of youth sports craziness as it related to the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, placing some blame on Bryant and other parents, without seeming insensitive to the NBA great's tragic death. That's a tough balancing act. His other column took on the growing trend of growth of pro golfers without accusing of wrongdoing. Both were very well done.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: Los Angeles Times Entry Title: Erika D. Smith Entry Credit: Erika D. Smith Judge Comment: Erika D. Smith's column's took on systemic racism in two segments of our society that were constantly in the news last year - crime/policing and health care. Both columns included a depth of reporting to back up her opinion, the hallmark of a good columnist.
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: The Mercury News/East Bay Times Entry Title: Gov. Newsom's failed COVID leadership Entry Credit: DANIEL BORENSTEIN Judge Comment: Daniel Borenstein's two columns both had strong opinions about Gov. Gavin Newsom and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. And there was no more important topic in 2020.
