The Association for Women in Sports Media is pleased to announce its 2020-21 AWSM Champions class:

Katherine Fitzgerald is a sports reporter covering the Arizona Cardinals for The Arizona Republic, where she has worked since 2018. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina in 2014, and her master's from Arizona State University in 2016. She was a 2017 AWSM Scholar.

Nicole Gaddie is an associate producer for the Golf Channel, where she has worked since 2016. She is a 2014 graduate of Seattle University, where she also played golf.

Rachel L. Hill is a sports reporter at TV20 in Cleveland, and a political affairs and sports talk show host at IHeartRadio and 95.9 FM WOVU. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University, and her master's from Cleveland State University. She served in the Army National Guard from 2007-09.

Kelly Hinseth is the sports director for CBS 3/KBJR in Duluth, Minn. She previously was a sports anchor at the station, and was the weekend sports anchor and reporter at KDNU-TV in Kennewick, Wash. She is a 2016 graduate of Bethel University.

Meredith Perri is the high school sports editor at MassLive in Springfield, where she has worked since 2014. She was previously a sports producer at the outlet. She graduated from Boston University in 2014.

The AWSM Champions mentorship program matches professional members with sports media veterans for one year. Additionally, AWSM sets up conference calls and in-person sessions with a variety of industry veterans. The Champions are provided assistance to attend AWSM's national convention at the conclusion of the program.

Mentors for the 2020-21 class are: Valerie Gordon (Commander-in-She), Angel Gray (Fox Sports Cleveland), Alisha Miller (ESPN.com), Jamie Seh (WKMG News 6) and Jenny Vrentas (Sports Illustrated).

“We are delighted to introduce this year’s AWSM Champions class,” said Gina Mizell, AWSM VP/Professional Programming. “This was the strongest pool of applicants that AWSM has received in the program’s history, highlighting the thirst for guidance and support among women across sports media. Mentorship is especially important during this uncertain time in our industry and society, and AWSM takes pride in facilitating that connection.”

AWSM thanks veteran broadcaster Ann Liguori, the inaugural benefactor of AWSM Champions, who also will serve as a speaker for the group during the upcoming year.

Applications for the next AWSM Champions class will be accepted in the spring of 2021. The program is open to professional AWSM members who have been employed in sports media roles at any point during the past calendar year. For more information, contact AWSM board members Gina Mizell or Iliana Limón Romero.