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.