For its work during 2007, the Times sports staff picked up five awards in the Georgia Sports Writers Association’s annual contest, the association announced Wednesday.

Last summer’s series of articles examining the changing world of the high school athlete and college recruiting took first place in the best feature or series category. It’s the second first-place award for the series, which won in the same category in the state’s Associated Press contest.

Also taking first-place honors was "A Fan’s Guide to High School Football," the paper’s annual prep football preview, which won for best special section.

The staff won second place for best sports section and third place for best section layout, and staff writer Bill Murphy took third place for best columnist.

The Times was judged against other daily newspapers in the state with a circulation of 50,000 or fewer.

"It’s always good to be recognized like this by your peers," sports editor Brent Holloway said. "Of course, our focus continues to be our readers, and producing a sports section they’re happy with is our No. 1 goal. But it makes us feel like we’re doing something right when our work is rewarded in this way."