The Faribault County Register picked up three awards at the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The newspaper staff was awarded a second place in the Circulation Promotion category with a promotion that tied subscribing to the newspaper with area town summer celebrations.

Newspapers of all sizes, from small weeklies to the largest dailies competed in this area.

In the individual categories, Register sports photographer Kevin Mertens picked up a first place award for best sports photo.

Mertens’ photo shows Buccaneer wrestler Mat Willner raising his arms in victory while his opponent covers his head in defeat on the mat.

It was Mertens’ first award in the newspaper contest.

Register editor Chuck Hunt was also honored in the photography division, picking up a second place award in the Feature Photo category.

Hunt’s photo was of several children looking at a praying mantis (walking stick) they had named ‘Vern.’

The Register has been a consistent winner in the newspaper contest each year. The contest is part of the annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention, held in the Twin Cities each winter.