COLUMBUS — The Cincinnati Enquirer's staff collected 16 awards Sunday in the Associated Press Society of Ohio's annual news competition.

        Sixty-three daily newspapers submitted 3,375 entries in the contest, which featured stories, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2000.

        The Enquirer competed in Division V, with papers over 75,000 daily circulation.

        In the General Excellence category, the Enquirer finished third, with The Columbus Dispatch first and The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer second.

        Other Enquirer awards:

        • Best Special Section: second place, “Paul Brown Stadium.”

        • Column: second place, Peter W. Bronson.

        • Lifestyles: second place, John Johnston, “Circle of friends.”

        • General News Photo: second place, Michael Keating, photo of Kim Owensby.

        • Sports Photo: second place, Jeff Swinger, “Reds shortstop Barry Larkin”; honorable mention, Gary Landers, “Mason wins state.”

        • Best Daily Sports Section: third place.

        • Spot News Photo: third place, Glenn Hartong, “Debris falls during tough blaze”; honorable mention, Glenn Hartong, “Playing with fire.”

        • Best Special Sports Section: third place, “Baseball 2000.”

        • Best News Writer: honorable mention, Dan Horn.

        • Breaking News: honorable mention, “Earnings alert pummels P&G stock.”

        • Best Game Story: honorable mention, John Erardi, “UC stuns Syracuse, improves to 2-0.”

        • Feature Photo: honorable mention, Glenn Hartong, “Wall of water.”

        • Brightest Headline: honorable mention, Brent Coleman, “"102' runt of "Dalmatians' litter.”

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