Photos of the Year: Sports photography 2019

Purdue Boilermakers safety Navon Mosley (27) is stiff armed by Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Nico Ragaini (89) during the second quarter of their game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. On this play I saw Ragaini headed my way and knew it'd be a tight shot and that it might make sense to switch over to a shorter lens (I was carrying three cameras with three different length lenses for this reason). I made a split-second decision to stick with my 400mm lens, however, to see if I could pull off the tight shot. As he turned away from me I shifted my focus to the defender and was able to make this image. It's the result of some good luck along with a reward for the risk of sticking with my longer lens. To me, that reward is one of the best parts of sports photography. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Olivia Orris, 13, practices a dismount from the beam as teammates look on at Twisters Gymnastics in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. I had spent the session following the gymnasts as they practiced and cheered each other on. Olivia's dismounts were especially impressive, and her teammates focused intently, so I positioned myself so she would fill the open white space above her teammates. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

I was fully expecting an Iowa State win on their home turf, and had parked myself in the end zone to catch a game-winning touchdown when this happened. Toward the end of a game, especially one with as many breaks as this one had, everyone on the sidelines is pretty tired and and we were over the wet conditions. This play came out of nowhere and as I reacted to it with a 400 mm lens, I just hoped that I had the focus right. I managed to get four frames of the tackle, three of which were useable and one of which both told the story and had a clean background, relatively. Iowa State's Datrone Young (2) and kick returner Deshaunte Jones (8) collide as they go after a punt in the final minutes of the fourth quarter at a college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. The Hawkeyes won the game, 18-17. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Photographing any emotion from a normally stoic Kirk Ferentz is a difficult task. The moment was fleeting as Ferentz quickly regained his composure. I think the photo conveys how much of an impact Hayden Fry has had on Ferentz.Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz becomes emotional as he makes a statement about the death of former Iowa head coach Hayden Fry at the Richard O. Jacobson Football Operations Building in Iowa City, Iowa, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. Fry passed away Dec. 17 in Texas at 90. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (6) makes a catch in the end zone while under coverage buy Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Coney Durr (16) during the second quarter of their game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes running back Tyler Goodson (15) leaps over Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders safety Gregory Grate Jr. (3) in the fourth quarter of their NCAA football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Michael Nugent removes his helmet after driving his car around the track at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, June 13, 2019. It has been 40 years since Nugent and his brother saw the car after winning the 1980 Irish National Championship with it. Nugent's son surprised his father with the purchase of the old car. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

I volunteer to photograph at my daughter's teammates when they have swim meets. The Stoney Point YMCA has a bank of windows along the south side of the building. It was a sunny day so several of the lanes closest to the windows had a mix of daylight, pool lighting and the red of the numerals being reflected from the timing display. I noticed the red light shin gin on the surface of the water earlier in the day and filed it away to use later. I like how the swimmer churning up the water broke the streak of red. Olivia Otten, 9, of Tipton, Iowa, in surrounded by the red light of the digital timer being reflected off the water as she swims in the girls' 9-10 50-yard breaststroke during a swim meet for the Stoney Point Stingrays YMCA swim team at the Stoney Point YMCA, 300 Stoney Point Rd SW, in southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids Prairie players storm the field as a firework show is seen in the distance before their game at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Rawan Guzouli (right), 16, helps Florence Assumani (left), 16, tie her shoes before a practice for the girls' wrestling team at West High School in Iowa City on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. Most of the girls are borrowing shoes from coaches or have purchased them second-hand as they try out the sport. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Members of the Linn-Mar Prowl Softball Club chant in the dugout at Prospect Meadows baseball complex in Marion on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The complex opened last week with exhibition games and a softball tournament that continues through the weekend. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Anything to take a little of the pressure away from playing a big game. The Kennedy Cougars softball team spent the time while school staff, coaches and parents worked to get the infield dry enough to play the class 5A regional final softball game between the Cougars and Cedar Rapids Prairie why dancing and waving their plastic cowboy hats at Kennedy High School in northeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. I like the warm, evening light as the dark storm clouds pasted off to the east. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids Kennedy players celebrate a 63-6 win over Fort Dodge in their first-round playoff game at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Western Dubuque's Maddie Harris, center, and Teresa Petsche, right, embrace teammate Adeline Huehnergarth (19) in celebration after winning their Class 4A quarterfinal match of the girls high school state volleyball tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Independence's Hannah Johnson (right) makes a save as teammate Karen Priebe (left) looks to help in the second half during a class 2A regional semifinal soccer game with Independence at Mount Vernon on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Mount Vernon won the game, 3-1. Play ended during the second half due to weather. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Runners in the 800-meter run jockey for position as they go through turn one during the Iowa City West Invitational at Iowa City West High School in Iowa City, Iowa, on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Iowa's Raymonte Dow loads into the blocks for the men's 400m hurdles during Drake Relays at Drake Stadium in Des Moines on Friday, April 26, 2019. Dow placed fourth in 61.51. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Sandi Morris clears the bar while competing in the women's World Showdown Invitational pole vault during Drake Relays at Drake Stadium in Des Moines on Friday, April 26, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Jason Riley rides through the amphitheater as the sun shines overhead during the Fat Sac & Fox Enduro Ride 2019 at Indian Creek Nature Center in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. The three-hour endurance ride was a joint effort between the nature center and the Linn Area Mountain Bike Association. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Greg Eisworth (12) breaks up a two-point conversion attempt intended for Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (6) during the fourth quarter of their college football game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Iowa won 18-17. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Clockwise from left: Kanye White, 14, Omarion Thomas, 14, Davion Smalls, 14, and Montrez McIntyre, 10, all from St. Louis, MO., warmup in the hallway before their bouts of the Los Primos Boxing Club Amateur Boxing Show in the armory at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. About 27 bouts featuring boxers from 30 clubs over six states competed in novice and elite competition. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

North Tama teammates celebrate their win during a 1A quarterfinal match between Gehlen Catholic and North Tama at the IGHSAU State Volleyball Tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. North Tama won the match, 25-20, 25-22, 26-24. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs hangs upside down from gymnastics rings that have been in the backyard of his childhood home in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on Friday, July 5, 2019. Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Brandon Smith (12), quarterback Nate Stanley (4) and Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Peyton Mansell (2) walk down the tunnel to warm up for the Rutgers game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Geno Stone (9) hugs former teammate Miami (Oh) Redhawks defensive back Cedric Boswell (18) after their game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Iowa won 38-14. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Nico Ragaini (89) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an Iowa Hawkeyes football game with the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes teammates leave the field following their win at an Iowa Hawkeyes football game with the Miami-Ohio Redhawks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

The ball hits Iowa City West's Ben Vander Leest (24) in the face as he scrambles for the ball against Linn-Mar's John Steffen (23) in the first half of their boys' prep basketball game at West High School in Iowa City on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

I get in a rut photographing sports, reaching for my telephotos lenses to isolate the athletes from the distracting backgrounds. I like how the leaves frame the runner and the wide-angle perspective provides context of the event. South Winneshiek's Jamison Meyer nears the 2.5 mile marker during the 1A race at the state qualifying cross country meet at Birdsall Park in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

From left, Iowa City West's Claudia Chia, Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Amelia Spreitzer and Iowa City Liberty's Neely Maurus walk to the green of the 13th hole at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City during the MVC Valley Divisional meet on Monday, May 13, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids Xavier's JP Segura (14) collides with Gilbert's Jeff Rudman (19) as they chase the ball during their Class 2A boys prep soccer state semifinal game at Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines on Saturday, June 1, 2019. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Mallory Rupe, 4, falls asleep as she and her father, Patrick Rupe of Des Moines, arrive in Chariton during Day 4 of RAGBRAI on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. This is Mallory's second RAGBRAI. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Cornell's Sydney Hancox (19) heads the ball as Coe's Mya Washburn (10) comes up short during the second half of their game at Cornell College in Mount Vernon on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Nevada's Kacie Rewerts (9) tips the ball over during their Class 3A quarterfinal match of the girls high school state volleyball tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs (74) carries the Floyd of Rosedale trophy toward the tunnel as fans rush the field after beating Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end A.J. Epenesa (94) motions for the crowd to get loud during the fourth quarter of their game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Iowa's Alex Marinelli celebrates as he wins over Wisconsins' Evan Wick in their 165-pound match at an Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling meet with the Wisconsin Badgers at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Iowa won the meet, 32-3. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Not the sharpest photo as I was handholding a 600mm while simultaneously trying to dodge a video journalist who was inching out in front of me. I broke my own rule when photographing football. Normally, I set up between the goal line and the end zone when a team gets in the red zone. This time, I stayed along the end zone. I'm lucky it all worked out. Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Brandon Smith (12) score a touchdown off a Nate Stanley pass during the fourth quarter of their Big Ten Conference college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

I was setting the exposures on my cameras while player introductions were going on. I noticed the shadows that the players cast as they ran onto the court. I quickly dropped by ISO from 5,000 to 500 so I wouldn't overexpose the spotlit floor and keep the shadows dark. I fired off a few frames as the player ran to give some Hawkeyes swag to a young fan. This was the best frame with the player in mid-stride and some separation between the shadows of the two fans at left. I also like the bouncing ponytail. It reminds me of former Benton Community softball and current Minnesota Golden Gophers pitcher Amber Fiser. Iowa Hawkeyes Blythe Rients casts a shadow as she is introduced before their Big Ten Conference college volleyball match against the Michigan State Spartans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

MFL Mar-Mac's Gabe McGeough (left) and Ethan Stubbs (right) pour Gatorade onto coach Dan Anderson following their win at a high school football game with Edgewood Colesburg at MFL Marmac High School in Monona on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. MFL Mar-Mac won the game, 28-23. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)