Award-Winning Stories
Since its first issue in 2024, the University of Oregon's student-produced sports magazine has traveled to tell stories, combining immersive longform journalism with stunning photography and design that rises above the standard of the nation's best sports publications.
The work has been recognized. In just its second year, Ascend earned top honors at the 2026 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle Awards — one of collegiate journalism's most prestigious competitions — taking first place in the Essay, Non-fiction Article, and Non-fiction Interview categories among more than 6,000 entries, with additional recognition spanning design, photography, and digital media.
Below are the awards won for work in the 2025 issue.
CSPA 2026 Gold Circle Winners: College and University
M05 Essays
Ruby Wool, "The Leadoff," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M07 Non-fiction article
Ruby Wool, "Trending on the Track," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
Eli Thomas and Hannah Kalan, "Framing Northern Latitudes," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M08 Non-fiction interview
Sophie Fowler, "Signs to the Summit," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
Maya McLeroy, "Rules to Run By," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M12 Cover Design for General or Feature Magazine
Sofia Lentz, "Ascend,"Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M21 Photography: Portfolio of work
2. Lucas Carroll, Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M27 Design portfolio
Sofia Lentz, Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
CM. M. McFetridge, Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M29 Single Subject Feature Package, Double-truck (two-facing pages)
Gabriela Martinez Contreras, "Framing Northern Latitudes," Ascend,University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
Sofia Lentz, "Behind the Arc," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
M. McFetridge, "Koshien,"Ascend,University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
DM12 Sports features
Lily Crane, "Serving Dreams, Smashing Limits," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
Ryan Pearl, "Strong Bones," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon
Arwen Thomas, "Resilience and Rock Climbing," Ascend, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, Eugene, Oregon