Terry Christensen, the publisher of The Messenger as well as the The Daily Freeman-Journal in Webster City and The Times-Republican in Marshalltown, received the Master Editor-Publisher Award.

Reporter Kelby Wingert received the Jay P. Wagner Prize for Young Journalists.

Michelle Colshan received the first place award for Best Ad Designer.

Sports Editor Eric Pratt garnered both the first- and second-place awards for Best Sports Story in the Daily Class II category, which is the largest in the state. Pratt was honored for articles on the Humboldt football team at the state semifinals in the UNI-Dome, as well as the Fort Dodge softball squad’s state runner-up performance.

Assistant Sports Editor Chris Johnson received the third-place award for Best News Feature in Daily Class II for his article on the transition in ownership at the Community Orchard in Fort Dodge.

Other newsroom awards included:

• Second place for Best Feature Page

• Third place for Best Coverage of Business

Advertising awards included:

• Second place for Best Ad Featuring Grocery/Food/Entertainment

• Second place for Best Ad Featuring Financial, Insurance or Other Professional Services

• Second place for Best Ad featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware

• Second place for Best Ad Featuring Automotive, Boats, Aircraft or Tires

• Third place for Best Special Section Advertising

• Second place for Best Ad Campaign

• Second place for Best Ad Featuring Community Promotion

• Second place for Best Ad featuring Agriculture

• Third place for Best Web Ad