COURIER SPORTS SNARES TPA WRITING AWARD; Division I top sports writing selection for second straight year
Shea Haile Courier Sports
The Carthage Courier sports staff has garnered the Division I Tennessee Press Association Contest’s first place award for Best Sports Writing. The Courier sports has taken home the last two sports writing awards.
The University of Tennessee — Tennessee Press Association Awards were held on June 25 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Carthage Courier sports coverage placed fourth in the 2026 contest after claiming the category’s top prize in 2025 and 2024.
The press awards judges provided the following comments regarding the Courier’s entries:
“The reporters’ knowledge of the various sports they covered really stands out. The thorough reports included lots of quotes from players and coaches and the stories were well structured.”
The Carthage Courier’s sports reporters are Shea Haile and Terry Collins.
The Courier spotlighted several local athletes accomplishments in 2025 including the Gordonsville Tigerettes volleyball team’s run to a Class 1A runner-up and the Tigerettes’ softball team’s journey to the cusp of a state championship three-peat.
The Smith County Lady Owls basketball team also took center stage with a game-winning shot from senior Chloe Collins.
Below is a list of all eight sports writing entries from the Carthage Courier:
READ MORE IN THIS WEEK’S COURIER
