2022 Award Finalists

Congratulations to all who participated in the 2022 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest!

We had 39 judges evaluate 709 entries from 39 news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. The finalists are listed in random order. The actual order of finish – first and second places -- will be announced at the VAPB Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 1, 12-3:00pm, at The Greenbrier Resort, 300 W. Main St., White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. 

COMBINED DIVISION (TV/RADIO):

Best Podcast-Audio: Trey Kay and Emily Haavik, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Court of Second Chances"; Mallory Noe-Payne, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "Memory Wars."

TV I/LARGE MARKET:

Best Spot News: Frank Jones, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, "Tragedy at UVA"; WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, "Chesapeake Mass Shooting."

Best Continuing News: Margaret Ashburn, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, "UVA Shootings"; WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, "July 4 Mass Shooting Plot."

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: Lane Casadonte and Sean Robertson, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: Janet Roach and Adrian Guerra, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, "The Fentanyl Crisis"; David Stotts, Jon Burkett and Brandy Brown, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Crime Insider Reopen the Case."

Best Light Feature: Greg McQuade and Curtis Akers, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Mystery Letters in the Attic: It Is Definitely a Love Story"; Samantha Willis and Martin Montgomery, VPM News, Richmond, VA, "Rev. Cora's Gospel."

Best Serious Feature: Marlee Pinchok, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Blaine Boulevard"; Marlee Pinchok, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Neighbors Get Mail Delivery."

Best Sports Feature: Greg McQuade and Brad Wilson, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Gowdy Gloves: Maybe This Is the Way I Get to the Show"; Joseph Payton, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Young Burrow."

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter: Alex Littlehales, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA; Anthony Sabella, WTKR-TV/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA.

Best Reporter: Emily Bennett, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV; Laura French, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA.

Best Specialty Reporting: Marlee Pinchok, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Road Safety Concerns"; Logan Sherrill, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, "Hometown Eats."

Best Spot News Photography: Ben Brady, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Tappahannock Fire"; Joe Valdez, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "What Are They Going to Do?"

Best Feature Photography: Andrew Robinson and Ricky Matthews, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, "Art From Above"; Dustin Weekley and  Blake Whitener, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Memorial Services Held for CPD K9."

Best Multi-Platform Story: Jean Jadhon and Rob Chewning, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, "Addicted to Chance"; Tiaira Shoultz, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, "Cola Beale."

Best Investigative Reporting: Alyssa Rae and Greg Moore, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, "Blowing the Whistle - A College Football Scandal"; Noreen Turyn and Jeff Meyer, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, "Johnny Cashman."

Best Website: Jeff Morris, Shannon Stowers and Kris Plona, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV; Jane Alvarez Wertz, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA.

Best News Promo: Rob Edmonds, Ashly Richards and Pete George, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, "Walk"; Joseph Payton, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "53 Days."

Best Station Promo: Brandy Brown, David Stotts and Victoria Bostic, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Crime Insider Reopen the Case"; David Stotts, Kaci Taylor and Rob Byrne, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Backyard Weather All Year Long."

Best Newscast: Chelsea Armstrong, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Flash Flooding"; Sarah Callaway, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, "UVA Shooting Aftermath."

Best Weathercast: Spencer Adkins, Bryan Hughes and Joe Fitzwater, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, "First Big Snow"; Zach Daniel, Mike Stone and Chris Munnings, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Cold Water Weather."

Best Weathercaster: Spencer Adkins, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV; Zach Daniel, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA.

Best TV News Anchor: Jean Jadhon, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA; Rachel Keller, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA.

Best TV Sports Anchor: Nathan Epstein, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA; Dave Walls, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA.

Best Producer: Mike Bergazzi, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "Crime 360"; Jessica Wetzler, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA.

Best Team News Coverage: WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Officers Killed in Line of Duty"; WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, "UVA Shootings."

Best Old Dominion Heritage: George Noleff, WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA, "Outdoors Bound and on the Farm: George Noleff Highlights All Nature Has to Offer in the Commonwealth"; Roberta Oster, Brad Clore and Dennis Ting, VPM News, Richmond, VA, "Descendants' Voices at Monticello."

Best Mountain State Heritage: Taylor Eaton, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Returns"; Brad Rice, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, "Traveling West Virginia."

Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism: Kristen Bentley, Joseph Payton and Jay Melvin, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, "Fired up Friday: Igniting a New Tradition"; Julie Millet and Jon Dowding, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, "The State of Education."

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV; WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA.

TV II/SMALL MARKET:

Best Spot News: Gailyn Markham, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, "Police Involved Shooting"; Ian Roth and Celeste Gessner, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV, "I-79 Standoff."

Best Continuing News: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Charlottesville, Albemarle County Bus Driver Issues"; WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Winter Weather Causes Prolonged Power Outages."

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: Rob Metzger, Jack Hillgrove and Bill Phillips, WTOV-TV, Wheeling, WV; WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: Laura Bowen, WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, "Vienna Baseball Field Fight"; Rachel Hirschheimer, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Refugees Struggle to Find Housing."

Best Light Feature: Chelsea Church, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, "Ella's Cards"; Madison McNamee, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Award-Winning Orchestra Teacher Retires."

Best Serious Feature: Rachel Hirschheimer and Taylor Thomas, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Behind the Scenes at a COVID-19 Testing Event"; Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, "Faith and Recovery: The Jill Howell Story."

Best Sports Feature: Andrew McClung, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, "Number One Fan"; Preston Willett, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "A Way of Life, Louisa County Football."

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter: Andrew McClung, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, "A Cup of Lemonade"; Dryden Quigley, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Reporter: Kristen Quon, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA; Rivers Upchurch, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV.

Best Specialty Reporting: Isabel Cleary, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Central Virginia Mail Issues"; Madison McNamee, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Helping the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank."

Best Spot News Photography: Isabel Cleary, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Hoax Threat Locks Down Charlottesville High School."

Best Feature Photography: Max Marcilla, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Fallen Veteran Receives Arlington Burial"; Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, "Future Leaders Program Rockets."

Best Multi-Platform Story: Ian Roth, Celeste Gessner and Joshua Jarnagin, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV, "I-79 Standoff"; WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV, "WVU Begins Search for Next Director of Athletics."

Best Investigative Reporting: Carly Haynes, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Stinky Septic Tank Troubles"; Annie Moore, Martin Staunton and Taylor Hankins, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, "Conditions at SRJ."

Best Website: John Early and Julia Ocasio, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; John Lynch, WTRF-TV, Wheeling, WV.

Best News Promo: Joey Kinsley, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "CBS19 Sports"; Jared Morrison, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, "July Storms."

Best Station Promo: Aric Berg, Julian Bussells and Jay Webb, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Jared Morrison, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, "Meteorologist Katherine Thompson."

Best Newscast: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Jake Waddell and Kristen Cauley, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Weathercast: Jeff Oechslein and Nathan Shutt, WTOV-TV, Wheeling, WV, "Martin Luther King Day Snowstorm"; Katherine Thompson and Collin Rogers, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, "July Storms."

Best Weathercaster: Stephanie Penn, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Aubrey Urbanowicz, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA.

Best TV News Anchor: Kasey Hott, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Melinda Zosh, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV.

Best TV Sports Anchor: Marty Hudtloff, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Preston Willett, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Producer: Ben Casto, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, "Election Night Coverage"; Lynne Vogt, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

Best Team News Coverage: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Snowstorm"; WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, "Tragedy on UVA Grounds."

Best Old Dominion Heritage: Simone McKenny, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, "The Journey"; Heather Williams, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, "Breaking the Color Lines."

Best Mountain State Heritage: Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, "Greg Bishop"; WTRF-TV, Wheeling, WV, "Veterans Voices."

Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism: Jaime Baker and Rick Zumpano, WTOV-TV, Wheeling, WV, "Hearing the Homeless"; Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, "Fath and Recovery: Breaking the Chains of Addiction."

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.

RADIO I/METRO:

Best Spot News: David Adkins, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, "Title IX Protest"; Caroline MacGregor, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Airport Expansion's Potential Impact on Coonskin Park Worries Local Residents."

Best Continuing News: David Lefkowitz, Gary Hess and Matt Demlein, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA, "UVA Football Tragedy"; WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "UVA Shooting."

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: Andrew Rogers and Justin Zimmer, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV; WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA.

Best Documentary or In-Depth: Trey Kay and Marisa Helms, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "The Gun Divide"; Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "West Virginia Water Trails: Rebuilding Buffalo Creek's Identity."

Best Light Feature: Mason Adams, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Floyd's Friday Night Jamboree Builds Community From Music"; Ryan Murphy, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, "The Formula Fairy: A Hampton Roads Mom Invests Hours, Hundreds of Dollars to Keep Babies Fed."

Best Serious Feature: Whittney Evans, VPM News, Richmond, VA, "Prisoners in Virginia Only Get Photocopies of Incoming Mail"; Roxy Todd, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "Better School Lunches."

Best Sports Feature: Jeff Bossert, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "Coalfields Baseball"; Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "Poolside Math."

Best Sports Play-by-Play: Dennis Carter, Rich Roth and Derek Beard, WLNI-FM, Lynchburg, VA, "E.C. Glass"; Jason Philyaw, Ryan Epling and Luke Hamilton, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, "Marshall v. Appalachian State."

Best Reporter: Megan Pauly, VPM News, Richmond, VA; Roxy Todd, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.

Best Talk Show: Mari White, Brian Weigand and Anthony McAvoy, WLNI-FM, Lynchburg, VA, "The Morningline."

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: Eric Douglas, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Arthur' Author Appears at Book Festival"; WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA, "Retiring Police Chief Howard Hall."

Best Specialty Reporting: Ben Paviour, VPM News, Richmond, VA, "Politics/Government Accountability"; Chris Schulz, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Mon County Bans Pride Flags in Schools, Receives Pushback."

Best Multi-Platform Story: Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "West Virginia Water Trails: Rebuilding Buffalo Creek's Identity."

Best Newscast: Luke Church, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA; Gary Hess, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA, "Another Mass Shooting Close to Home."

Best Radio News Anchor: Dennis Edwards, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA; Teresa Wills, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Bridge Safety and A Discussion About the State's Personal Income Tax on This West Virginia Morning."

Best Old Dominion Heritage: Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "Moton School Historic Site"; Jahd Khalil and Scott Elmquist, VPM News, Richmond, VA, "Removal of A.P. Hill Statue Points to New Era in Richmond History."

Best Mountain State Heritage: Lauren Griffin, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "Dirt, Soot, Smoke and Oil: Mechanics Take on the Dirty Job of Repairing Antique Trains"; Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, "A Guitar Surgeon Gives Old Instruments Their Voices Back."

Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism: Sandy Hausman and Michael Pope, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, "The Cost of Living in Prison"; VPM News, Richmond, VA, "Another Way: How One Virginia City Reckons With Gun Violence."

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: Makaylah Wheeler, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV; WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.

RADIO II/NON-METRO:

Best Spot News: Dori Zook, Jay Hart and Jay James, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "UVA Culbreth Shootings."

Best Continuing News: Ryan Stone, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, "Board of Supervisors Turmoil"; Courteney Stuart, Dori Zook and Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "Montpelier Descendants Committee Uprising on Montpelier Foundation Board."

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: Luke Neer, Adam Hawes and John Freeman, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA; Ryan Stone, Brandon Burnett and Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.

Best Light Feature: Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "Michael's Real Estate-Themed Holiday Songs"; Josh Lineberry, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, "Danville Police Department New Headquarters."

Best Serious Feature: Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "Importance of Providing Housing for Everyone"; Barry Richmond, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, "NASCAR Noise - Joe Gibbs."

Best Sports Feature: Luke Neer, Vegas Mike and Taylor Pilkington, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "March Madness Bracket Preview."

Best Sports Play-by-Play: John Freeman, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "Virginia Basketball Is the Show Tonight!"; Ryan Stone, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, "Final Seconds Harry Johnson Holiday Classic."

Best Talk Show: Rob Schilling and Samantha Federico, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "The Schilling Show: Newly Elected Second Term Congressman Bob Good and Callers."

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "Interview With New Vice Mayor JuanDiego Wade"; Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, "DCC Job Fair."

Best Multi-Platform Story: Ryan Stone, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, "Danville Economic Development and Tourism Study."

Best Website: Ginyah Woods, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA; Ginyah Woods, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.

Best Station Promo: Jon Talbott, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, "Meet Ryan Stone."

Best Newscast: Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "UVA Shooting not the Only Game in Town That Morning"; Caleb Peek, WSVA-AM, Harrisonburg, VA.

Best Radio News Anchor: Caleb Peek, WSVA-AM, Harrisonburg, VA; Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "Yo, Paper or Plastic."

Best Radio Sports Anchor: Luke Neer, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, "UVA Basketball With a Red Hot Start."

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: Ryan Stone and Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA; Dori Zook, Courteney Stuart and Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA.