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Salt Lake Tribune Sports Section Wins Five APSE Awards
Locale: UNITED STATES

Salt Lake City, UT - March 18th, 2026 - The Salt Lake Tribune's sports section has once again cemented its position as a leading voice in sports journalism, earning five prestigious Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) Awards for work published in 2024 and 2025. The announcement, made earlier today, highlights the consistently high-quality reporting, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling produced by the Tribune's dedicated sports team. The awards are a significant validation of the team's commitment to in-depth coverage of Utah's athletic landscape, from professional teams like the Utah Jazz to the collegiate successes of the Utah Utes, and even the impact of major international events like the 2024 Winter Olympics.
The APSE Awards are widely considered among the most prestigious honors in sports journalism, pitting publications against each other from across the United States and Canada. This year, the Salt Lake Tribune demonstrated its strength by being named a finalist in a remarkable 11 categories, ultimately securing five wins. This level of recognition underscores the breadth and depth of talent within the Tribune's sports department.
A Deep Dive into the Award-Winning Work
The accolades reflect a variety of journalistic approaches. Tony Capaccio took home first place in the Featured Writing category for his poignant piece, "The Last Game." While details remain largely within the Tribune's archives, the title suggests a moving story, likely focusing on a retiring athlete or the end of a significant sporting chapter. Feature writing, at its best, transcends mere game reports, delving into the human stories that define the world of sports, and Capaccio's work clearly resonated with the judges.
Katie McTiernan's consistently insightful coverage of the Utah Jazz earned her a second-place finish in the Beat Writing category. Beat writers are the lifeblood of any sports section, providing daily, in-depth reporting on a specific team. McTiernan's success speaks to her ability to cultivate sources, break news, and offer a nuanced understanding of the Jazz's performance, both on and off the court. Sources within the Tribune have commented that her ability to connect with players and coaching staff has been crucial to her success.
Josh Schrock was also awarded second place, this time in the Sports Reporting category, for his coverage of Utah Utes Football. College football holds a particularly strong grip on the Utah sports scene, and Schrock's reporting likely encompassed everything from game analysis to recruiting battles, program controversies, and the impact of college athletics on the local community. His investigative work and thorough reporting have consistently provided fans with comprehensive insights.
The second-place award for Multimedia Storytelling, shared by Brett Okamoto, Jeff Jamison, Jake Anderson, and Ryan Smith for "The End of an Era," hints at a significant and likely emotional project. The title suggests a farewell to a beloved athlete, coach, or perhaps a stadium or tradition that has long been a part of Utah's sporting history. The team's ability to combine text, images, video, and potentially interactive elements demonstrates a commitment to innovative storytelling.
Finally, the Tribune's special section dedicated to "Utah Athletics, 2024 Winter Olympics" received a third-place award. This acknowledges the extensive coverage provided surrounding the games, and likely included previews, live updates, athlete profiles, and analysis of Utah's role in the event. The 2024 Winter Olympics presented a unique opportunity for the Tribune to showcase local talent and explore the intersection of sports, culture, and national pride.
A Testament to Dedication and Quality
"This is a testament to the talent and dedication of our sports team," said Tribune Sports Editor Scott Dalgarno in a statement released this afternoon. "These awards reflect the hard work and commitment of our reporters, photographers, and editors to deliver exceptional sports coverage to our readers. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments."
The Salt Lake Tribune's continued success in the APSE Awards is particularly noteworthy in a challenging media landscape. With the rise of digital media and the decline of traditional newspapers, maintaining a robust and award-winning sports section requires significant investment and a commitment to journalistic excellence. The Tribune's success demonstrates that quality journalism still thrives, and that audiences continue to value in-depth, well-researched sports coverage. The team has also recently experimented with newer formats like podcasts and extended reality (XR) features to engage a broader audience. Looking ahead, the Tribune's sports section is poised to continue its legacy of providing insightful, compelling, and award-winning coverage of Utah's vibrant sports community.
Read the Full The Salt Lake Tribune Article at:
[ https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2026/03/04/salt-lake-tribune-earns-5-apse/ ]