DALLAS — Three  former first-place winners — Dennis Dodd, Christopher Walsh and Edward Aschoff — garnered  first-place finishes again in the  26^th Annual FWAA Best Writing Contest.  John Bohnenkamp was a first-time winner in Game Story to account for the other top award.

Jesse Temple, Chris Vannini, David Teel and Dodd claimed awards in different categories.  Please note, writers are identified by their affiliation (below) at the time they wrote the stories. A few have changed affiliations.

First-place winners will receive game balls, certificates and cash prizes. Second- and third-place winners will get certificates and cash prizes. Honorable mention award recipients will receive certificates. All will be recognized at the annual FWAA Awards Breakfast on Jan. 7, 2019, in San Jose, Calif.

Click on the name of any of the first-place winners to read their winning story.

GAME

FIRST PLACE — John Bohnenkamp, The Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa)

SECOND PLACE —Max Olson, The Athletic

THIRD PLACE — Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic

HONORABLE MENTION — Jesse Temple, Land of 10; David Teel, Daily Press, Newport News, Va.; Bill Bender, Sporting News; Chris Vannini, The Athletic

FEATURES

FIRST PLACE — Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports.com

SECOND PLACE — Chris Tomasson, St. Paul Pioneer Press

THIRD PLACE — Jesse Temple, Land of 10
HONORABLE MENTION — Chris Vannini, The Athletic; David Hale, ESPN.com; Mirin Fader, Bleacher Report

COLUMNS

FIRST PLACE — Mark Schlabach and Edward Aschoff, ESPN.com

SECOND PLACE — David Teel, Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

THIRD PLACE — Pete Thamel, Yahoo Sports

HONORABLE MENTION — J.P. Scott, Athlon Sports; Ron Higgins, NOLA.com/Times-Picayune; Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com; Luke DeCock, Raleigh News & Observer; Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman

ENTERPRISE

FIRST PLACE — Christopher Walsh, SEC Country

SECOND PLACE — Dennis Dodd and Jon Solomon, CBSSports.com

THIRD PLACE — David Ching, Ross Dellenger and Luke Johnson, The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.

HONORABLE MENTION — Alex Scarborough, ESPN.com; Matt Hayes, Bleacher Report; Jesse Temple, Land of 10