Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Brian Hagberg, sitting, and Brian Ferry, standing.

Times Observer Sports Reporter Brian Hagberg brought home the gold on Friday with a first-place award in the Pennsylvania Keystone Press Awards yearly competition.

Hagberg also earned two second-place awards for his work while News Reporter Brian Ferry received an honorable mention for his photo story/essay titled “Choper — With Honor.”

The awards were earned in the 2019 Professional Keystone Press Awards sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. The Times Observer competed in Division IV for multi-day publications with under 15,000 circulation.

Hagberg’s first-place piece was titled “Going for Gold! Lady Dragons get a signature playoff win, will play for D-10 title.” in the category of Sports Event Coverage.

“Three years of agony, frustration and disappointment were exercised as the clock struck all zeroes on the pitch at Greenville High School Monday,” it read. “Now, the Warren girls soccer team will get their shot at District 10 gold following a 2-0 win over Meadville in the D-10 Class 3A semifinals.”

His second-place wins were received in the category of sports story, titled “Uncertain Future: Low numbers raising major concerns for viability of Sheffield football program,” and sports/outdoor column titled “Better Judgement needed; Play like a girl…even if no one’s watching; The healing power of sports.”

“A lack of regular attendance during spring and summer workouts and uncertainty about the number of athletes willing to participate has raised questions about the viability of the Sheffield football program, the Times Observer has learned,” the article on the Sheffield football program read.

“Play like a girl…even if no one’s watching” was Hagberg’s column on how the county should not miss out on the current greatness of Warren County female sports.

Ferry described the funeral service of Choper, Conewango Township’s K9 officer killed in service.

“Not just a partner… a family member, a best friend.”

“At least 50 law enforcement officers and hundreds of citizens attended a funeral service Tuesday afternoon at Warren Area High School to remember and celebrate Conewango Township Police K9 Officer Choper.”

“I couldn’t be more happy for Brian Hagberg and Brian Ferry,” said TO Publisher Bob Patchen. “It’s nice to see their hard work and dedication recognized by the Keystone Press Awards.”

Awards will be presented at the Pennsylvania Press Conference on May 17 in Harrisburg.