The Banner and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earned Associated Press Sports Editors Triple Crowns, a distinction that recognizes sustained excellence across multiple areas of sports journalism.
The honor was part of broader recognition for both newsrooms, whose work was cited for reporting, writing, visual storytelling and digital presentation. Winners from this year’s contest were recognized at the APSE Summer Conference banquet Saturday in Arlington, Virginia.
The APSE contest is a national benchmark for sports journalism. For newsrooms, the recognition signals their coverage stands out among peers for its depth, ambition and ability to help readers understand the teams, people and institutions shaping sports.
The Banner and the Post-Gazette are part of the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism. The Post-Gazette produced its recognized work before joining Venetoulis.
The Banner
The Banner won four first-place honors and was the only publication to take the top spot in four writing categories in the 2025 APSE contest.
“The best sports journalism isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about the people, institutions and moments that shape our communities and give us shared experiences,” said Audrey Cooper, editor-in-chief of The Banner. “Sports coverage is news, it’s entertainment and it also tells us about the region we call home. So it’s especially rewarding to see our team recognized by industry leaders for the curiosity, rigor and humanity they bring to work every day.”
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Orioles reporter Andy Kostka won team beat writing, and sports columnist Kyle Goon won column writing. Paul Mancano won explanatory reporting for a story that examined why no player has hit a home run far enough to strike the B&O Warehouse beyond right field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and what it would take to reach it.
The Banner also took first place in event coverage for its reporting on the 150th and final running of the Preakness Stakes before the demolition of Pimlico Race Course. The coverage was produced by Goon, Childs Walker, Giana Han, Giacomo Bologna and The Banner’s photo staff.
The Banner’s recognition also extended to accountability and enterprise journalism. Julie Scharper, Justin Fenton, Brenna Smith, Jonas Shaffer and Han placed fourth in APSE’s investigative category for reporting on allegations of inappropriate behavior against then-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. The Banner was the only smaller-division publication to finish among the top 10 in the category, which was open to all news organizations.
Additional honors went to Lee Sanderlin, Danielle Allentuck and Mancano, who placed fourth in projects, and photographer Wesley Lapointe, who finished fifth in feature photography. The Banner also earned a top 10 distinction in digital journalism.
Kevin Reynolds, who has since joined The Banner as its Washington Commanders reporter, tied for fourth in team beat writing and placed fifth in explanatory reporting for work published at The Salt Lake Tribune.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earned its second straight APSE Triple Crown. The newsroom received top 10 recognition in print portfolio, digital journalism and projects, along with honors for long-form storytelling, daily beat reporting, columns, photography and video.
“To earn this honor a second straight year is a reflection of the staff’s passion for providing distinctive journalism that matches the intensity of Pittsburgh’s fanbase,” said Stan Wischnowski, executive editor and vice president of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “And to achieve this honor against the backdrop of so much uncertainty for us in 2025 is a testament to our journalists’ commitment to sustained excellence.”
Noah Hiles won first place in long feature writing for his story on former Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Nate Mallett. The story revisited Harrison’s encounter with Mallett, a Browns fan he slammed to the ground after he ran onto the field during a 2005 game in Cleveland. It followed their reunion 20 years later and explored how the incident became part of a turning point in Mallett’s life and path to sobriety.
Hiles also finished third in team beat writing for his coverage of the Pirates. His recognition across both categories underscored the range of his work, from sustained daily reporting to deeply reported narrative storytelling.
The Post-Gazette earned Excellence in Video recognition for its short documentary on Mount Lebanon standouts Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza following the Army-Navy football game. The honor highlighted the newsroom’s ability to bring sports stories to audiences through visual storytelling as well as traditional reporting.
Additional top 10 honors went to Mike White for high school beat writing, Joe Starkey for columns and Matt Freed for action photography. A Post-Gazette team of Gerry Dulac, Jason Mackey, Keith Barnes, Anya Sostek and Roberta Burkhart placed third in projects.
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