The Lawrence Journal-World won the top newspaper award during the Kansas Press Association’s 2009 Awards of Excellence on Saturday night at the Wichita Airport Hilton.

The Journal-World received KPA’s Sweepstakes Award in recognition for winning the most awards in its newspaper division.

The Journal-World received 11 first-place, nine second-place and 13 third-place awards.

The Baldwin City Signal weekly paper, also owned by The World Company, won the sweepstakes in its division.

First-place Journal-World winners were:

• Best Special Section for “Your Guide to KU,” edited by Terry Rombeck and Christy Little.

• Religion Story, “The influence of tradition, modernity,” by Alexander Parker.

• Matt Tait for Sports Column Writing.

• Photo Illustration, “Drowning in debt,” by Nick Krug.

• Sports Photo, “State champs,” by John Henry.

• Feature Photo, “Spring fever,” by Richard Gwin.

• Best Use of Photos, staff.

• Local Business Story, “Meet Joe College,” by Chad Lawhorn.

• News and Writing, staff.

• Sports Pages, staff.

• Best Newspaper Web Site.

Ralph D. Gage Jr., director of special projects for The World Company, was presented the press association’s annual mentor award, presented in memory of Karl and Dorothy Gaston, late publishers of the Ellsworth Reporter. The Gaston Award recognizes a Kansas newspaper employee or journalism educator who has been a successful mentor to young journalists.

The World Company owns the Lawrence Journal-World.