Drum roll please ...
The 16 finalists for the second installment of the Next Great Sportswriter are ...
absolutebest: http://blogs.foxsports.com/absolutebest
DrMidnight: http://blogs.foxsports.com/DrMidnight
Dudski: http://blogs.foxsports.com/dudski
edhardiman: http://blogs.foxsports.com/edhardiman
Elizabeth_Bennet: http://blogs.foxsports.com/Elizabeth_Bennet
Gbrent: http://blogs.foxsports.com/Gbrent
HiPlainsDrifter: http://blogs.foxsports.com/HiPlainsDrifter
JWatters: http://blogs.foxsports.com/Jwatters
joshhoskins55: http://blogs.foxsports.com/joshhoskins55
MooreSports: http://blogs.foxsports.com/MooreSports
nappytemple: http://blogs.foxsports.com/nappytemple
tombradyquinn: http://blogs.foxsports.com/tombradyquinn
rivjo: http://blogs.foxsports.com/rivjo
ShooterB: http://blogs.foxsports.com/ShooterB
tjw118: http://blogs.foxsports.com/tjw118
xea76: http://blogs.foxsports.com/xea76
Congratulations to all of the finalists, and thanks to everyone for participating.
Thanks to the high level of competition, the final decisions were even more difficult this time around than they were in NGS1.
Note on change in final 16: Gbrent is a late addition to our 16 finalists, as one of our original finalists, ChristopherRoss, was removed for not having opted in to the competition originally. These checks are a normal part of the verification processes we have installed this time around, and because it was caught early enough, we were able to replace him with another finalist.
More changes in final 16: MrNFL and Northsider have admitted they are not of the required age to be in the competition and have been removed. We have replaced them with Dudski and tjw118.
What now?
For the finalists, check this judges' blog later today for some age-verification requirements that we will have.
This week's assignment for the finalists will come Tuesday morning and will be due by noon ET this Friday (May 26).
But you're welcome to continue to blog to your heart's content in addition to the assignment.
Users will be able to vote on the finalists' blogs starting momentarily, and then at the end of the week, once the assignments have all been turned in, the judges will cast their own votes on the blogs.
What if I'm not a finalist?
First off, thank you again for participating. The turnout for NGSII was phenomenal, and like I said, the judges' decisions were very tough.
But now your vote can help determine who will move on through each round of this competition. And the blogs you have created will remain active and we certainly encourage you to continue to be a part of this vibrant community.
Thanks again to everyone, and congratulations to our finalists.
-Tom