The Sun Journal was recently honored with 14 awards of excellence at the Society for News Design’s 26th annual “The Best of Newspaper Design Creative Competition.”

Paul Wallen, managing editor of visuals, says the contest is the most competitive contest for newspaper design and is judged by the field’s top professionals.

More than 450 newspapers from 29 countries submitted a total of 15,020 entries in 21 categories for newspaper design, graphics and photography.

“This is a very competitive contest with high standards,” Wallen said. “Such a strong showing means that industry experts think we’re doing a great job organizing and presenting the news for Sun Journal readers.”

The Sun Journal was the competition’s largest award-winner among newspapers under 50,000 circulation, and among independently owned newspapers of any size. The Bangor Daily News received the only other award in the state of Maine, for an information graphic on voter results.

Among the Sun Journal’s winning entries:

• Champs at last! (Red Sox front double page): Paul Wallen, Keith Hagel.

• Page design portfolios: Ryan Powell, Paul Wallen.

• Rollodrama (Business section front): Heather McCarthy, Daryn Slover.

• All eyes on Ohio (Election front page): Keith Hagel, Pete Phelan, Pete Gorski, Paul Wallen.

• Believe it! (Sox beat Yankees, Sports section front): Ryan Powell, Steve Sherlock, Bill Foley, sports staff, Paul Wallen.

• Summer Olympics Preview: Ryan Powell, Steve Sherlock, Pete Gorski, sports staff, Rex Rhoades, Paul Wallen.

• River of Promise: Heather McCarthy, Pete Gorski, Daryn Slover, Paul Wallen.

• Soldier’s Story: Daryn Slover, Paul Wallen.

• Oh, so grand! (Sox beat Yankees front page): Keith Hagel, Pete Phelan, Paul Wallen.

Wallen praised the work of the Sun Journal design team, saying, “It’s a real privilege to be part of such a talented, hard-working group. Everyone here takes such pride in what we do for the readers, and the contest results are a nice recognition of everyone’s extra efforts.”