With no drama, but a whole lot of consistency, Kyle Robertson of The Columbus Dispatch has won his fifth consecutive ONPA Monthly Clip Contest Photographer of the Year award.
There have been a handful of photographers in the past who have made impressive three or four year runs, but nothing on Robertson’s current level. Robertson has truly been the king of clips, winning six titles and finishing no worse than second in the contest since 2011.
Robertson matched his 2018 win total with 44 wins again this year. Thirteen of Robertson’s wins were in the portrait category with eight wins for stories and seven wins in sports feature and illustrations.
The only drama in this year’s contest was who would finish second. Co-workers Rebecca Benson and Jeremy Wadsworth at The Blade were locked in battle with Benson holding a slim 30 point advantage. Both photographers had two first place wins in the final month, but Wadsworth added a second and a third to secure the runner-up spot.
Bill Lackey from the Springfield News-Sun place fourth and Eric Abrecht from The Dispatch finished fifth.
Kyle Robertson's 2019 clip winners
January – Sports Feature – 3rd place – Ohio State’s Malik Heinselman enters the arena to take on Michigan’s Drew Mattin during a 125 match at Value City Arena in Columbus. Mattin won a 12-6 decision over Heinselman. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
January – Sports Feature – 3rd place – Ohio State’s Malik Heinselman enters the arena to take on Michigan’s Drew Mattin during a 125 match at Value City Arena in Columbus. Mattin won a 12-6 decision over Heinselman. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
January – Story – 1st place – Governor Mike DeWine tries to shake hands as his wife, Fran hugs a guest before the swearing in ceremony at the Statehouse rotunda on January 14, 2019. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
January – Story – 1st place – Governor Mike DeWine tries to shake hands as his wife, Fran hugs a guest before the swearing in ceremony at the Statehouse rotunda on January 14, 2019. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
Feb – Portrait – 2nd place – BalletMet dancers Miguel Anaya, as Basilio, and Grace-Anne Powers, as Kitri, in the new production of Don Quixote. The dancers pose for a photo at BalletMet performance space. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
Feb – Portrait – 2nd place – BalletMet dancers Miguel Anaya, as Basilio, and Grace-Anne Powers, as Kitri, in the new production of Don Quixote. The dancers pose for a photo at BalletMet performance space. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
February – Story – 3rd place – Buckeye Chuck waits as it snows outside of WMRN radio station in Marion, on February 2, 2019. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
February – Story – 3rd place – Buckeye Chuck waits as it snows outside of WMRN radio station in Marion, on February 2, 2019. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Illustration – 2nd place – Cowboy burger at Blarney Stone Tavern in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Illustration – 2nd place – Cowboy burger at Blarney Stone Tavern in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Illustration – 3rd place – Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffle at Alqueria Farmhouse Kitchen in Columbus.(Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Illustration – 3rd place – Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffle at Alqueria Farmhouse Kitchen in Columbus.(Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Portrait – 1st place – Percy King, a former Ohio State football player, has been commissioned by the Columbus Museum of Art to create four three-dimensional wood portraits of important Columbus African American artists Aminah Robinson, Elijah Pierce, Kojo Kamau and William Hawkins. King poses for a photo in his house in Blacklick. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Portrait – 1st place – Percy King, a former Ohio State football player, has been commissioned by the Columbus Museum of Art to create four three-dimensional wood portraits of important Columbus African American artists Aminah Robinson, Elijah Pierce, Kojo Kamau and William Hawkins. King poses for a photo in his house in Blacklick. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
April – General News – 1st place -Columbus police officer Joshua Good drops off a birthday cake, flowers and gifts to Margaret Belcher at her house in Columbus. Belcher had her home broken into twice in two days last week. Belcher’s birthday is tomorrow but officer Joshua Good has the day off. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
April – General News – 1st place -Columbus police officer Joshua Good drops off a birthday cake, flowers and gifts to Margaret Belcher at her house in Columbus. Belcher had her home broken into twice in two days last week. Belcher’s birthday is tomorrow but officer Joshua Good has the day off. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Sports Feature – 1st place – Dublin Jerome student section cheers after Dublin Jerome’s Nick Augenstein scored a goal against Cleveland St. Ignatius during the state hockey championship game at Nationwide Arena.(Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
March – Sports Feature – 1st place – Dublin Jerome student section cheers after Dublin Jerome’s Nick Augenstein scored a goal against Cleveland St. Ignatius during the state hockey championship game at Nationwide Arena.(Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
April – Portrait – 1st place – At age 74, graduating CCAD student Susanne Dotson poses for a photo in front of her art work at CCAD Beeler Gallery in Columbus. Susanne will graduate with a Masters of Fine Arts from CCAD in May, and this month, her quilt-like paintings that are meant to mix farm and fashion are on exhibit at Beeler Gallery. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
April – Portrait – 1st place – At age 74, graduating CCAD student Susanne Dotson poses for a photo in front of her art work at CCAD Beeler Gallery in Columbus. Susanne will graduate with a Masters of Fine Arts from CCAD in May, and this month, her quilt-like paintings that are meant to mix farm and fashion are on exhibit at Beeler Gallery. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
April – Portrait – 3rd place – Brewmaster Colin Vent poses for a photo at Seventh Son Brewing Co. in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
April – Portrait – 3rd place – Brewmaster Colin Vent poses for a photo at Seventh Son Brewing Co. in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
May – Spot News – 2nd place – Mifflin Township firefighter Jason Frankle helps transport a baby kitten that was rescued by firefighters during a two-alarm fire at a northeast Columbus apartment building near 5918 Fallston Ct. The kitten received oxygen f
May – Spot News – 2nd place – Mifflin Township firefighter Jason Frankle helps transport a baby kitten that was rescued by firefighters during a two-alarm fire at a northeast Columbus apartment building near 5918 Fallston Ct. The kitten received oxygen from paramedics at the scene. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
May – Sports – 2nd place – Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (right) dives to shoot the puck against Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
May – Sports – 2nd place – Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (right) dives to shoot the puck against Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
May – Story – 3rd place – Columbus Blue Jackets season ticket holders Mella and Jack Curtis make their way to the front of Nationwide Arena before Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
May – Story – 3rd place – Columbus Blue Jackets season ticket holders Mella and Jack Curtis make their way to the front of Nationwide Arena before Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – General News – HM – Piper Sigloch, 7, waves two rainbow flags before the start of Pride worship service at Maple Grove United Methodist Church in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – General News – HM – Piper Sigloch, 7, waves two rainbow flags before the start of Pride worship service at Maple Grove United Methodist Church in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Illustration – 1st place – Chocolate Torte at M at Miranova which will re-open after a three-week remodeling process. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Illustration – 1st place – Chocolate Torte at M at Miranova which will re-open after a three-week remodeling process. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Illustration – 3rd place – Skuna Bay Salmon at M at Miranova which will re-open after a three-week remodeling process. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Illustration – 3rd place – Skuna Bay Salmon at M at Miranova which will re-open after a three-week remodeling process. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Portrait – 1st place – Aiden from Columbus watches his first Pride Parade from a wall along High Street during the 2019 Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade in Columbus. Aiden was at Pride with his father and sister but was comfortable at Pride without his mask. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Portrait – 1st place – Aiden from Columbus watches his first Pride Parade from a wall along High Street during the 2019 Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade in Columbus. Aiden was at Pride with his father and sister but was comfortable at Pride without his mask. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Sports Feature – 2nd place – Columbus Crew SC defender Alex Crognale (21) yells at referee Guido Gonzales Jr. after David Accam was taken down in the final seconds of the game and no call was made against Atlanta United at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Sports Feature – 2nd place – Columbus Crew SC defender Alex Crognale (21) yells at referee Guido Gonzales Jr. after David Accam was taken down in the final seconds of the game and no call was made against Atlanta United at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Sports – 2nd place – Columbus Crew SC forward Patrick Mullins (32) pulls the shirt of Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson (12) on a header during the first half during an U.S. Open Cup game at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus.(Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Sports – 2nd place – Columbus Crew SC forward Patrick Mullins (32) pulls the shirt of Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson (12) on a header during the first half during an U.S. Open Cup game at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus.(Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Story – 3rd place – More than half-million attendees descending on Downtown and the Short North for the annual Stonewall Columbus Pride parade. The parade has grown to one of the largest in the Midwest. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
June – Story – 3rd place – More than half-million attendees descending on Downtown and the Short North for the annual Stonewall Columbus Pride parade. The parade has grown to one of the largest in the Midwest. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
July – Portrait – 2nd place – Michael Hughes lives in Bexley and owns chickens the past seven years. Currently he owns three chickens and lets them run around his backyard while at work. Hughes and one of his chickens pose for a photo while on his lunch break. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
July – Portrait – 2nd place – Michael Hughes lives in Bexley and owns chickens the past seven years. Currently he owns three chickens and lets them run around his backyard while at work. Hughes and one of his chickens pose for a photo while on his lunch break. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
July – Portrait – HM – Pisce McCoy “BarbHer” poses for photo at Kutthroat Barber Shop in Columbus. McCoy has been a barber in Columbus for the last four years. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
July – Portrait – HM – Pisce McCoy “BarbHer” poses for photo at Kutthroat Barber Shop in Columbus. McCoy has been a barber in Columbus for the last four years. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
July – Sports Feature – HM – Former Westerville Central football player Benny Snell, who was just drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers does pushups with kids after a drill during his football camp at Westerville Central High School. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
July – Sports Feature – HM – Former Westerville Central football player Benny Snell, who was just drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers does pushups with kids after a drill during his football camp at Westerville Central High School. (Kyle Robertson/The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Portrait – 2nd place – Katie Roddy, an Olentangy Berlin High School junior who sings in the Columbus ChildrenÕs Choir, recently won a scholarship, which pays for her upcoming choir season. Her essay described how learning to read music helped her cope with her dyslexia which was causing her schoolwork to suffer. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Portrait – 2nd place – Katie Roddy, an Olentangy Berlin High School junior who sings in the Columbus ChildrenÕs Choir, recently won a scholarship, which pays for her upcoming choir season. Her essay described how learning to read music helped her cope with her dyslexia which was causing her schoolwork to suffer. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Portrait – 3rd place – Tony Galiffo designed the first Hell Is Real scarf and poses in front of the Hell Is Real billboard on I-71 in Mount Sterling. The Columbus Crew will take on Cincinnati FC in the first “Hell is Real” game later this month. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Portrait – 3rd place – Tony Galiffo designed the first Hell Is Real scarf and poses in front of the Hell Is Real billboard on I-71 in Mount Sterling. The Columbus Crew will take on Cincinnati FC in the first “Hell is Real” game later this month. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Story – 2nd place – A rider turns onto High Street during the 11th Pelotonia in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Story – 2nd place – A rider turns onto High Street during the 11th Pelotonia in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Story – 3rd place – Columbus Crew SC forward Gyasi Zardes (11) celebrates his first goal by punching the corner flag against FC Cincinnati during the first half of their MLS game at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
August – Story – 3rd place – Columbus Crew SC forward Gyasi Zardes (11) celebrates his first goal by punching the corner flag against FC Cincinnati during the first half of their MLS game at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Illustration – 2nd place – Butter Brazed Pork Belly at Old Spot in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Illustration – 2nd place – Butter Brazed Pork Belly at Old Spot in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Portrait – 3rd place – Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake poses for a photo in his office. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Portrait – 3rd place – Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake poses for a photo in his office. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Sports Feature – HM – A Nebraska Cornhuskers fan stands up alone in disbelief after Ohio State Buckeyes scored a rushing touchdown to make it 31-0 early in the second quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Sports Feature – HM – A Nebraska Cornhuskers fan stands up alone in disbelief after Ohio State Buckeyes scored a rushing touchdown to make it 31-0 early in the second quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Story – 2nd place – Brett Miller driving Gray Dragon heads around the bend during the 9th race and the 74th Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fair. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
September – Story – 2nd place – Brett Miller driving Gray Dragon heads around the bend during the 9th race and the 74th Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fair. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – General News – 1st place – Jordan Anderson writes on a side of a building after a vigil one year after Donna was shot and killed by former Columbus police vice officer Andrew K. Mitchell, who has been charged with murder, on Bellows Ave in Franklinton. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – General News – 1st place – Jordan Anderson writes on a side of a building after a vigil one year after Donna was shot and killed by former Columbus police vice officer Andrew K. Mitchell, who has been charged with murder, on Bellows Ave in Franklinton. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Portrait – 3rd place – Gameday + Meet a Buckeye with Jack Holland of the men’s soccer team. Jack poses for a photo after practice. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Portrait – 3rd place – Gameday + Meet a Buckeye with Jack Holland of the men’s soccer team. Jack poses for a photo after practice. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Portrait – HM – Todd Kensler built and designed all of his Halloween display at house in Hilliard. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Portrait – HM – Todd Kensler built and designed all of his Halloween display at house in Hilliard. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Sports Feature – 2nd place – Walnut Ridge’s Qian Magwood (13) leads his team to the field before their game against Marion-Franklin. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Sports Feature – 2nd place – Walnut Ridge’s Qian Magwood (13) leads his team to the field before their game against Marion-Franklin. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Sports Feature – HM – Marion-Franklin’s Jamier Cato stretches with his team as he watches Walnut Ridge team warmup before their game at Marion-Franklin High School. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Sports Feature – HM – Marion-Franklin’s Jamier Cato stretches with his team as he watches Walnut Ridge team warmup before their game at Marion-Franklin High School. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Sports – 2nd place – Ohio State guard Luther Muhammad (left) grabs a rebound off the face of Cedarville guard Demond Parker during the first half of their game at Value City Arena in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Sports – 2nd place – Ohio State guard Luther Muhammad (left) grabs a rebound off the face of Cedarville guard Demond Parker during the first half of their game at Value City Arena in Columbus. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Story – 1st place – Nowhere in Columbus is there an area more plagued with prostitution and drug abuse than a three-mile span of Sullivant Avenue that runs from the edge of Downtown from Dodge Park to Hague Avenue. There are more than 1,000 abandoned houses along the streets touching Sullivant, some of which are occupied by Òdope sickÓ people under the control of human traffickers. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
October – Story – 1st place – Nowhere in Columbus is there an area more plagued with prostitution and drug abuse than a three-mile span of Sullivant Avenue that runs from the edge of Downtown from Dodge Park to Hague Avenue. There are more than 1,000 abandoned houses along the streets touching Sullivant, some of which are occupied by Òdope sickÓ people under the control of human traffickers. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
November – Portrait – 3rd place – Gameday+ Meet a Buckeye with Katie Trace of the women’s swimming team. Katie poses for a photo at the McCorkle Aquatic Center on the campus of Ohio State University. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
November – Portrait – 3rd place – Gameday+ Meet a Buckeye with Katie Trace of the women’s swimming team. Katie poses for a photo at the McCorkle Aquatic Center on the campus of Ohio State University. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
November – Sports – HM – Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins (25) fights off Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller (4) to score a two-point conversion during the 4th quarter of their game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
November – Sports – HM – Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins (25) fights off Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller (4) to score a two-point conversion during the 4th quarter of their game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
December – Illustration – HM – Smashburger at Ghostwriters Public House restaurant in Johnstown.(Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
December – Illustration – HM – Smashburger at Ghostwriters Public House restaurant in Johnstown.(Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch)
Kyle Robertson's takes a selfie prior to the Ohio State and Michigan football game at Ohio Stadium in 2014.
2019 Final Point Standings
1st - Kyle Robertson, Columbus Dispatch - 1464
2nd - Jeremy Wadsworth, The Blade - 1204
3rd - Rebecca Benson/The Blade - 1164
4th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 964
5th - Eric Albrecht, Columbus Dispatch - 884
6th - Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch - 764
- Daniel Melograna, Daily Standard - 764
8th - Kurt Steiss, The Blade - 724
9th - Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati Enquirer - 554
10th - Shane Flanigan, ThisWeek News - 444
11th - Sam Greene, Cincinnati Enquirer - 442
12th - Fred Squillante, Columbus Dispatch - 342
13th - Erik Schelkun, Elsestar Images - 334
14th - Amy E. Voigt, The Blade - 284
15th - Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal - 258
16th - Scott Heckel, The Canton Repository - 232
17th - Joshua A. Bickel, Columbus Dispatch - 222
18th - Maggie Schroeder, Columbus Dispatch - 176
19th - Joshua Morrison, Mount Vernon News - 148
20th - Alex Conrath, ThisWeek Newspapers - 50
21st - Dave Zapotosky, The Blade - 46