Gonzaga University senior Sam Lungren of Freeland earned top honors in the nonfiction category of the annual Michael Gurian Writing Awards contest for his story about fly-fishing in Europe.

The award was announced at the Gonzaga’s Academic Honors Convocation on April 19.

Lungren is the son of Kevin and Mary Jane Lungren and a graduate of South Whidbey High School.

Lungren, a journalism major, will begin a master’s degree in nonfiction writing this fall at the University of Montana, Missoula.

Lungren based his award-winning memoir on a weekend fishing trip he took while studying abroad at Gonzaga’s study abroad campus in Florence, Italy.

This semester, he is managing editor of the Gonzaga Bulletin and Gonzagabulletin.com.

Tod Marshall, Gonzaga English associate professor, said the Gurian Awards Committee was impressed with Lungren’s story.

“The committee found Lungren’s blend of narrative pace — telling a story with careful attention to detail — to be compelling,” Marshall said.

“There were many fine entries, and Sam’s piece shows why he is an engaged writer who wants to share his experiences of the world with others.”