LEWISTON — Sun Journal sports columnist Kalle Oakes was honored by the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association on April 5 at the organization’s spring conference in Rockport.

The athletic directors presented Oakes with one of their two annual media awards. Oakes’ award was in the print media category.

Oakes was one of three local contributors honored at the banquet.

Scott Whalen of Auburn received a distinguished service award for his volunteer work with the Edward Little High School Grandstand Club and Auburn Suburban Little League. Gene Keene, also of Auburn and athletic director at Brunswick High School, received the MIAAA Past Presidents’ Memorial Achievement Award.

Oakes, 39, recently celebrated 23 years with the Sun Journal, all but nine months of that with the sports department. He began his career while a junior at Monmouth Academy.

Formerly sports editor, Oakes returned to his roots as a columnist and staff writer covering high school and college sports in 2005.

He has won numerous state and national awards. Oakes’ column, The Hot Corner, was awarded first place in its circulation category by the Associated Press Sports Editors in 2011. Oakes also is a past honoree as Maine’s sportswriter of the year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

Oakes and his family live in Monmouth.