MINNEAPOLIS — Here are the results of the 2012 Minnesota Associated Press Sports Association writing, editing and design contest. Awards were presented Wednesday at the group's annual meeting.

Division I (under 20,000 circulation):

Column

First: Rand Middleton, West Central Tribune

Second: Josh Berhow, Faribault Daily News

Third: Brendan Burnett-Kurie, Faribault Daily News

Spot News Story

First: Faribault Daily News, "FHS boys hockey coach Brad Ryan resigns," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie

Second: Faribault Daily News, "Coaches vs. Cancer takes on new meaning," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie

Third: West Central Tribune, "Allday sets walks record," by Ben Brewster

Feature Story

First: Faribault Daily News, "31 days, 1,000 miles, 1 journey of a lifetime," by Josh Berhow

Second: Faribault Daily News, "When Sports Really Matter," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie

Third: Crookston Daily Times, "Herren's goals: To horrify, and spur change," by Derek Martin

Game Story

First: Faribault Daily News, "It hurts," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie

Second: West Central Tribune, "Stingers beat Moondogs to stay alive," by Ben Brewster

Third: Faribault Daily News, "Hardwood hearbreak," by Josh Berhow

Enterprise

First: The Pioneer, "Bemidji State University hockey," by Jack Hittinger

Second: Faribault Daily News, "Tourin' the League," by Josh Berhow

Third: Faribault Daily News, "Hits, Heads, Heartache," by Josh Berhow

Special Section

First: Faribault Daily News, "Bethlehem Academy Prep Bowl Preview," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie, Josh Berhow

Second: Faribault Daily News, "Fall Sports Preview," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie, Josh Berhow

Third: Faribault Daily News, "Winter Sports," by Brendan Burnett-Kurie, Josh Berhow

Design and Editing

First: Jan Finger, The Brainerd Dispatch

Second: Ben Brewster, Jesse Fuchs, Tom Larson, Rand Middleton, Dan Wallert, West Central Tribune

Third: Kyle Stevens, Owatonna People's Press

General Excellence

First: Jan Finger, Mike Bialka, Jeremy Millsop, The Brainerd Dispatch

Second: Tom Larson, Jesse Fuchs, Ben Brewster, Rand Middleton, Dan Wallert, West Central Tribune

Third: Brendan Burnett-Kurie, Josh Berhow, Faribault Daily News

___

Division II (over 20,000 circulation):

Column

First: Jeff Kolpack, The Forum

Second: Dave DeLand, St. Cloud Times

Third: Jon Nowacki, Duluth News Tribune

Investigative Reporting

First: The Forum, "SET IN STONE? Despite the recent reclassification to Division I, North Dakota State has fostered an environment of stability in the head coaching ranks," by Jeff Kolpack

Second: The Forum, "NUMBERS GAME High school sports participation for girls is on the rise as boys see a dip," by Tom Mix

Third: St. Cloud Times, "SCSU football lagging behind in scholarships," by Andy Rennecke

Spot News Story

First: St. Cloud Times, "489 W's, 1 Retirement," by Frank Rajkowski

Second: The Forum, "NDSCS player: I was kicked off the team for being gay," by Tom Mix

Third: The Forum, "UND coach: Bison fans racist blowhards," by Jeff Kolpack

Feature Story

First: St. Cloud Times, "He's St. Cloud's Own Gretzky," by Tom Elliott

Second: Duluth News Tribune, "He's a 'true Bulldog,'" by Jon Nowacki

Third: Duluth News Tribune, "The new hometown hockey hero," by Kevin Pates

Game Story

First: The Forum, "Thoughtful tribute Spuds soccer captain gives up jersey number in honor of fallen JV player," by Chris Murphy

Second: Post-Bulletin, "Byron's prayer answered," by Pat Ruff

Third: St. Cloud Times, "Jaguars are state champions," by Tom Elliott

Enterprise

First: Duluth News Tribune, "Concussed: Changing the Mindset," by Rick Weegman

Second: Post-Bulletin, "Rochester basketball soul-searching," by Pat Ruff

Third: The Forum, "SPECIAL REPORT: ACL INJURIES ... Down, but not out," by Jeff Kolpack, Eric Peterson, Tom Mix

Special Section

First: Staff, The Forum

Second: Grand Forks Herald, "UND men's hockey season preview," by Brad Schlossman, Bobbi DuChamp

Third: Duluth News Tribune, "Happy Homecoming: Grandma's Marathon 2012," by Kevin Pates, Rick Weegman, Jon Nowacki, Rick Lubbers, Clint Austin, Bob King, Amanda Hansmeyer, Dan Moller, Julie Frederick, Dave Nevanen, Louie St. George

Design and Editing

First: Staff, The Forum

Second: Staff, Duluth News Tribune

Third: Jacob Laxen, St. Cloud Times

General Excellence

First: Staff, The Forum

Second: Staff, Duluth News Tribune

Third: Staff, St. Cloud Times