Sports Action
First place: Alan Hawes, The Post and Courier

Just before dawn, South Carolina resident Kathleen Wilson makes her way toward France as she swims across the English Channel.

First Place: Alan Hawes, The Post and Courier
Second Place: Mike Stocker, The Sun-Sentinel
Third Place: Carlos Puma, The Press-Enterprise
Honorable Mention: Barry Reeger, Tribune-Review
Honorable Mention: Rich Lipski, Washington Post
Honorable Mention: Chris Faytok, The Star Ledger
Honorable Mention: Dean Coppola, Contra Costa Times
Honorable Mention: Pat Sullivan, Associated Press

Winners' comments:
"I am totally surprised and am happy that my newspaper sent me on this assignment during these hard economic times. We are a small paper and don't normally get to do this kind of thing. I took the picture just before dawn and this was a digital image from the bow of the escort boat. I knew that the light was cool and if I stayed with it. I must have taken 100 frames and this one really worked. Thanks so much."

-- Alan Hawes

Judges' comments:
"This is an excellent picture that blends peak action with artistic expression and lighting. The image is filled with tremendous energy and action and yet has a painterly quality. It is a nice surprise for the viewer/reader. This image does indeed depicts the struggle of competition in the midst of the awesomeness of nature... the swimmer is moving with waves."

-- Kenny Irby