Claremore Daily Progress Sports Department Triumphs Again at OPA Newspaper Contest

NORMAN — The Claremore Daily Progress sports team has once again proven its excellence in sports journalism, securing the top spot in Oklahoma. For the third consecutive year, under the direction of sports editor Kevin Green, the department was awarded first place for Sports Coverage in the Oklahoma Press Association's 2025 Better Newspaper Contest for Multi-Day & Online-Only Publications Division 2, which includes towns with populations ranging from 20,000 to 40,000. The prestigious awards ceremony took place on Saturday evening at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman.

The judges commended the winning entries, noting, "Plenty to offer readers with thorough game coverage and features. Enjoyed the photos and stories on many sports." The submissions that secured this accolade included editions from the weekends of April 12-13, May 10-11, and September 20-21.

In addition to the team's accolades, Green also manages the sports section at the Muskogee Phoenix, which achieved a second-place finish in the same category. Green's success extended beyond coverage, as he clinched first place in Column Writing for three opinion pieces that addressed various subjects, including high school athlete transfers and player safety. Judges remarked, "Kevin seems very in tune with the community he serves. Well-crafted opinion on 'Thunderdome' and moving commentary from sidelines after player injury. Well done!"

One noteworthy column discussed the transfer of standout basketball player Aidan Clark from Inola to Broken Arrow, delving into the emotional ramifications for the small-town program. Another piece critiqued the suggestion to name Oklahoma City's upcoming NBA arena the "Thunder Dome," advocating for a more imaginative title for the nearly billion-dollar facility. The third column reflected on the serious injury of Claremore Christian football player Jaxon Robinett, emphasizing the human aspect of sports and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, which ultimately ended positively.

Photography played a crucial role in the newspaper's achievements, with photographer Jay Lederman winning both first and second place in the Sports Photograph category. His first-place photo, featured in the Weekend Edition on February 1-2, depicted Claremore wrestler Raul Perez executing a slam against an opponent during a dual meet with Coweta. The judge noted, "Talk about feeling the slam. The readers may feel the blow looking at this picture." Lederman's second-place image showcased wrestler Mason Gillispie taking down a Guthrie opponent at the Class 5A East Regional, capturing the emotional reactions of coaches and teammates.

These remarkable achievements further solidify the Claremore Progress sports department's reputation as one of Oklahoma's leading community newspapers, consistently recognized for its dedicated coverage of athletes and teams in Rogers County and beyond.