South Whidbey son Evan Thompson, a junior at Central Washington University, is a finalist for an Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Story of the Year Award for diversity writing.

Thompson, who graduated from South Whidbey High School in 2011, is the sports editor of Central Washington University’s student newspaper, The Observer. He wrote a story about Anthony Robles, a collegiate wrestler at Arizona State University, who was born without a right leg. Robles spoke to students at Central Washington, and Thompson had a chance to interview Robles who wrote a book, “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated.”

Thompson’s story was submitted to the Associated Collegiate Press for consideration as a top story in diversity. He is one of 10 finalists in the category, and is the only representative from his school to be a finalist in any category.

Winners will be announced Oct. 23-27 at the National College Media Convention in New Orleans.

As a high school senior, Thompson worked as an intern for the South Whidbey Record, covering spring sports before he enrolled at the Ellensburg university.