Tennessean honored with 7 sports journalism awards, named Triple Crown winner for 2024 work

Posted by author March 3, 2025 Sports

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The Tennessean received seven awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors, including the prestigious Triple Crown.
Enterprise writer Paul Skrbina won three awards for his work on Brentwood Academy’s football program, the role Nashville played in the “EA Sports College Football 25” soundtrack, and a feature on Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s family.
The Tennessean also received awards for event coverage of Vanderbilt’s upset win over Alabama and a short feature on the end of 6-on-6 basketball in Tennessee.
Other winners from Middle Tennessee included Cecil Joyce and Helen Comer of The Daily News Journal and Jacob Shames of The Leaf-Chronicle.

The Tennessean won seven awards in the Super Bowl of sports journalism contests for work done in 2024 as well as the prestigious Triple Crown.

Enterprise writer Paul Skrbina received three of the seven awards.

The honors were among the 16 awards won by the USA TODAY Network – Tennessee from the Associated Press Sports Editors.

Sports editors and journalists throughout the country voted on top-10 placements in various writing, website, print newspaper and photography categories, which were split into four divisions based on newspaper circulation or digital readership size.

Winners will be announced in April.

The Tennessean received the Triple Crown after placing in three specific categories — print portfolio, projects and event coverage for the B Division.

Skrbina placed in projects with Mike Organ for work following Brentwood Academy’s storied football program during the 2024 season. That included profiles on legendary coach Carlton Flatt as well as The Tennessean’s all-time Brentwood Academy team and coverage of first-year coach Paul Wade’s season. Skrbina also placed in explanatory in the role Nashville played in the “EA Sports College Football 25” musical soundtrack. And he placed for short features for a feature on Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s family.

The Tennessean placed in event coverage for its work on Vanderbilt football’s upset of Alabama. That included game content as well as following a goalpost to the Cumberland River in celebration. Those involved in that coverage included Aria Gerson, Gentry Estes and Alex Daugherty.

Other winners included: Tyler Palmateer’s short feature on the death of 6-on-6 basketball after the 1978-79 season. Photographer Andrew Nelles was honored for action photo.

Other APSE winners in Middle Tennessee

Cecil Joyce of The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro placed in a newly created high school beat writing category in the D Division.
Helen Comer of The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro placed in both the action and feature photo categories in the D Division.
Jacob Shames of The Leaf-Chronicle placed in long features in the D Division for his story on new Austin Peay football coach Jeff Faris.

Mike Wilson honored in Knoxville

Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel placed in long feature in the B Division for his inspiring story on Carlee Beam, the younger sister of Tennessee baseball pitcher Drew Beam.