American-Statesman Earns 3 APSE Awards for Sports Coverage

Texas newspaper recognized for excellence in breaking news, explanatory writing, and photography

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The American-Statesman, the local newspaper in Austin, Texas, was honored with three awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) for its coverage of the Texas Longhorns in 2025. The awards recognized the newspaper's work in sports breaking news, explanatory writing, and photography.

Why it matters

The APSE awards are considered one of the top honors in sports journalism, recognizing the best work across print, digital, and broadcast media. The Statesman's multiple award wins showcase the publication's commitment to high-quality reporting and visual storytelling around the popular Texas Longhorns athletics program.

The details

The Statesman's award-winning work included a story by Longhorns insider David Eckert that explored how climate change is impacting early-season college football games in Texas. Sports producer Zoe Collins Rath was recognized for a breaking news story about Texas Tech's alleged pursuit of star Texas catcher Reese Atwood. Visual journalist Sara Diggins earned an award for a photo capturing a 50-yard run by Texas quarterback Matthew Caldwell.

  • The APSE awards were announced on February 25, 2026.

The players

American-Statesman

The local newspaper in Austin, Texas, that covers the popular Texas Longhorns athletics program.

David Eckert

A Longhorns insider reporter for the American-Statesman who won an APSE award for explanatory writing.

Zoe Collins Rath

The sports producer for the American-Statesman who was recognized for a breaking news story.

Sara Diggins

A visual journalist for the American-Statesman who won an APSE award for photography.

Matthew Caldwell

The Texas Longhorns quarterback whose 50-yard run was captured in an award-winning photo by the American-Statesman.

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The takeaway

The American-Statesman's multiple APSE award wins demonstrate the newspaper's commitment to excellence in sports journalism, with standout reporting, explanatory writing, and visual storytelling around the popular Texas Longhorns program. This recognition underscores the Statesman's value as a leading source of in-depth, high-quality coverage for local sports fans.