Packers reporters Michael Cohen, Ryan Wood earn Top 10 AP sportswriting honors

PackersNews.com reporters Michael Cohen and Ryan Wood earned Top 10 national honors for 2017 in a contest judged this week by the Associated Press Sports Editors in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was recognized in the Explanatory and Beat Writing competitions in Category B (75,000 to 175,000 circulation newspapers). Cohen was honored in Explanatory for his story on how Packers vice-president of football administration/player finance Russ Ball negotiates with agents.

Cohen was recognized in Beat Writing for a collection of stories that demonstrated authoritative, newsy and innovative coverage. They included a feature on former Packers executive Alonzo Highsmith's professional boxing career, an in-depth profile of Ball, a story on former Packers defensive back Micah Hyde's relationship with his father, a Packers-Ravens game story and a breaking-news story on Packers running back Aaron Jones facing a marijuana-related charge.

Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, competing in Category C (30,000 to 75,000 circulation), also was honored in the Explanatory competition for his story on how the Packers mastered the art of the Hail Mary pass play. He was recognized in Beat Writing for an assortment of stories that included a piece on why Packers tight end Lance Kendricks sat during the national anthem before a game last season, a breaking-news story on Packers players' protests during the anthem, a feature on Packers defensive tackle Montravius Adams becoming a father, and a story on the devastating hit that Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan delivered on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams.

Additionally, columnist Gary D'Amato of the Journal Sentinel received Top 10 recognition in the Features competition of Category B for his oral history of the Ice Bowl game.