3 Blade photographers honored for work during 2008

Three Blade photographers have been honored by the Ohio News Photographers Association for their work in 2008.

Andy Morrison received best of show and a first place sports feature award for Inspiration, about a high school wrestler at the state championships who underwent amputation of parts of all his limbs during a childhood illness.

Jeremy Wadsworth was honored with a first place in general news for Rosemary, which shows a woman giving thanks for getting her apartment back. He also received an award for excellence for a photo of a snorkeler preparing to jump into the Maumee River on New Year s Day.

Dave Zapotosky received a third place for Celebrating a Win, which shows two jubilant young softball players whose team claimed victory at a Special Olympics tournament in Oregon.

He also received an award for excellence for the spot news photo Clinging to Dry Ground, which shows the owner of a Findlay beauty salon trying not to step in floodwater.

Mr. Zapotosky was honored with a second award for excellence, this time in the general news category. The photo shows Fremont resident Arthur Jibby Jibilian during a standing ovation for his service as a radio operator in World War II.