April 18, 2024

Tyler Hetu named CNA sports editor

By SARAH SCULL

Sports editor Tyler Hetu interviews Nodaway Valley head football coach Flynn Heald after a game in early October. Hetu, who has been sports writer for Creston News Advertiser, Adair County Free Press, Fontanelle Observer and Osceola Sentinel-Tribune was promoted to manage the sports departments of the four publications Sept. 20.

Tyler Hetu has been named as the new sports editor of the Creston News Advertiser.

Hetu, 24, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, took over as sports editor Sept. 20 after former sports editor Jeff Arenz quit without notice. Hetu has been acting sports editor after former sports editor Carter Eckl left the CNA in August for the position of sports director at the Nevada Appeal and Gardnerville Record-Courier in Western Nevada.

In addition to his duties as sports editor of the CNA, Hetu will also serve as sports editor of the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune, Adair County Free Press and Fontanelle Observer.

Hetu said he’s most looking forward to learning more about his new role.

“Making connections with the local area and being able to dive deeper than I already have in terms of knowledge,” said Hetu.

Hetu has worked for the CNA since Nov. 26, 2018, spending his first nine months as a sports reporter, where he said the best part about his position was working with sports colleagues – Eckl, Larry Peterson and Scott Vicker – and the opportunities the position has presented, like covering the Drake Relays and working at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

“Just being able to be there was something that not a lot of people can be able to say they have done ... and being able to cover the (ESPN) College GameDay at Iowa State, that was a lot of fun. It’s something I’ll never forget and it’s something that’s been on my Top 3 personal, professional checklists to cover a game day like that,” Hetu said.

Hetu earned his bachelors in communications with an emphasis in sports from Lasell College (now Lasell University) located in Newton, Massachusetts, in 2018. His prior journalism work includes a 2016 internship with The Georgetowner in Washington D.C. – a biweekly publication – and a 2018 internship with Major League Lacrosse where he wrote press releases, game recaps and created graphics. He also contributed to his school newspaper – the 1851 Chronicle and campus radio station, 102.9 FM WLAS.

To congratulate Hetu or send him a story ideas, contact him at thetu@crestonnews.com, 641-782-2141 ext. 6432 or on Twitter @TheTylerHetu.