14 SJI Alumni Earn APSE Top 10 Honors in 2025; Swanson Wins 3, Goon Adds 2

The excellence standard continues.

Fourteen alumni of the Sports Journalism Institute earned Top 10 recognition in the 2025 Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) Writing Contest, reinforcing SJI’s legacy as one of the most impactful training grounds in sports media.

Leading the way was Shelby Swanson (Class of 2024) of The News & Observer, who captured three Top 10 honors across multiple categories. Kyle Goon (Class of 2010) of The Baltimore Banner added two awards of his own, continuing a decorated career marked by versatility and consistency.

The honorees span graduating classes from 1998 to 2024 — a powerful reminder that SJI’s influence stretches across generations of sports journalists.

Class A Honorees

Commentary

• Candace Buckner, The Washington Post, Class of 2001
• Marcus Thompson, The Athletic, Class of 1998

Event Coverage

• Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, Class of 2018

Short Feature

• Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, Class of 2023

Class B Honorees

Team/Locality Beat Writing

• Joel A. Erickson, IndyStar, Class of 2007

Breaking News

• Shelby Swanson, News & Observer, Class of 2024
• Jadyn Watson-Fisher, News & Observer, Class of 2018

Event Coverage

• Kyle Goon, The Baltimore Banner, Class of 2010
• Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, Class of 2022

High School Beat Writing

• Clevis Murray, The Buffalo News, Class of 2019
• Christina Huang, San Antonio Express-News, Class of 2023
• Jordan Davis, The Oklahoman, Class of 2023

Columns

• Kyle Goon, The Baltimore Banner, Class of 2010

Long Feature

• Shelby Swanson, News & Observer, Class of 2024

Short Features

• Shelby Swanson, Raleigh News & Observer, Class of 2024

Class C Honorees

Long Feature

• Cora Hall, Knoxville News, Class of 2021

Short Features

• Frank Bonner II, The Daily Memphian, Class of 2019

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