The Star's Kelly Presnell wins top honor in another journalism contest

The Arizona Daily Star’s Kelly Presnell had a dominating year of award-winning work, earning Photojournalist of the Year honors in both of Arizona’s major journalism contests.

His designation this week by the Arizona Press Club as Photojournalist of the Year comes about a month after he received the same title — for the seventh year in a row — from the Arizona Media Association (formerly called the Arizona Newspapers Association).

“Whether the subject is news, sports or Arizona landscape, the truth is revealed in dramatic fashion through Kelly Presnell’s lens. He is simply the best, and the Star and its readers are lucky to see his photojournalism, day after day, year after year,” said Arizona Daily Star Executive Editor David McCumber.

“The Star’s journalists appreciate the peer recognition that the Press Club Awards provide — and, once again, a pattern of sustained excellence means they absolutely deserve it,” McCumber said.

Also in the top award category, the Star’s Mamta Popat placed third for Photojournalist of the Year in the Press Club contest.

Results from the Press Club are incomplete, with numerous categories still to be judged, but in the awards announced so far:

Star reporter Emily Bregel and former Star reporter Carol Ann Alaimo teamed up to take third place in the prestigious Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting, for “Members flee Tucson church’s actions, teachings.”

Bregel also earned first place in the personality profile/human interest reporting category for “In Sonora, ‘searching mothers’ comb the desert for disappeared loved ones.”

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The Star’s Cathalena E. Burch tied with herself for first place in arts, food and beverage reporting, for “Review: Tucson gets wonderful world premiere of ‘Frankenstein’ the opera” and for a second story the Press Club didn’t name.

Reporter Jamie Donnelly of the Star won third place in digital design portfolio for #ThisIsTucson Eat+Drink.

In photojournalism categories, Presnell and Popat dominated:

Sports action: 1st, Popat for “Rodeo”; 2nd, Presnell for “Rain Tackle.”

Sports feature: Presnell tied with himself for 3rd with “Rodo hackey sack” and “Softball.”

Picture story: 2nd, Popat, for “Restoring lanterns.”

Pictorial: 1st, Presnell for “Lightning and grad memorial.”

News photo: 2nd, Presnell, for “Fire.”