2015 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Lakewood St. Edward players prepare to take the field for Saturday's OHSAA Division I state championship football game against Wayne at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on December 5, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Jordan Ramey (4) and Kyle Dockus (2) of Moeller both reach for a fly ball in the outfield during Saturday's Division I state baseball championship game against Westerville Central at Huntington Park on June 6, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

A St. Francis DeSales student kisses the trophy while filming with a GoPro while the team celebrated a 1-0 win over Bay Village during Saturday's OHSAA Division II state championship soccer game at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus on November 14, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Joshua Perry (37) defends a pass intended for Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Shannon Brooks (27) during Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on November 7, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Northwestern Wildcats guard Maggie Lyon (25) was accidentally hit in the face by Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) while the two struggled over a loose ball during Sunday's NCAA Division I women's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on January 4, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Head referee Andy Teater of Hilliard runs for safety as Cole Gest (20) of St. Edward reacts to a 45-35 win over Wayne during Saturday's OHSAA Division I state championship football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on December 5, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Buckeye fans wait at Will Call to pick up tickets to watch Monday's NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State University Buckeyes and the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg, Va., on September 7, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Bishop Hartley head coach Brad Burchfield is doused with ice water by Rian Anderson (2) as time expires in Saturday's OHSAA Division IV state championship football game against Steubenville at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on December 5, 2015. Hartley won the game 31-28.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Will Homan (24) of Fort Recovery is nabbed by Paul Skye (55) of Mogadore during Friday's OHSAA Division VII state championship football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on December 4, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Damonte Dodd (35) of the Maryland Terrapins reacts as the buzzer sounds to a 69-59 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers in Sunday's third-round NCAA basketball tournament game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 22, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend at Nationwide Arena in January. The weekend of festivities featured a draft, a fan fair, a skills competition and the All-Star Game. An estimated 140,000 fans took part in the celebration of hockey.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Ryan Johansen of the Columbus Blue Jackets speaks to the media following the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Friday, January 23, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Young hockey fans suit up for a photo inside a replica of the Columbus Blue Jackets' locker room during NHL All-Star Weekend at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks speaks to the media following the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Friday January 23, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Players line up for introductions before the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, January 24, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

An estimated 140,000 fans experienced the events of NHL All-Star Weekend at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Team Toews forward Jakub Voracek (93) of the Philadelphia Flyers jumps over the stick of Team Foligno goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins) (29) during the NHL All-Star Game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sunday, January 25, 2015. Voracek scored on the play in the second period.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Team Foligno left wing Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) (8) tosses his hockey stick over the glass to fans following the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, January 24, 2015.

First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Barbara J. Perenic / The Columbus Dispatch

Team Foligno defender Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks) (88) holds his children Payton, left, and Jagger, right, on the ice following the NHL All-Star Game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Ohio University center Anthony Campbell reaches for a high pass down under the basket during their game against the University of Buffalo on Jan. 24, 2015 in the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. The Bobcats would end up winning 63-61.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

The Ohio Bobcat football team take to the field while running through smoke against the University of Idaho for their home opener at Peden Stadium on Sept. 20, 2014.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

IFBB professional bodybuilder Branch Warren prepares his mind in the backstage waiting room prior to going on stage for the 26th annual Arnold Classic event held in the Ohio Convention Centers Battelle stage on March 7, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Ohio Bobcats guard Jordan Dartis (35) gets fouled while going up for a layup during their game against Indiana Tech at The Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, on Nov. 7, 2015.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Riders from wave two race towards the finish line during the annual Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb held on the Pikes Peak Highway on Aug. 9, 2015. Approximately 200 riders, of all ages, rode 12.42 miles up to the 14,115 foot summit.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Red Devil swimmer Rachel Walker is congratulated by her 200 meter relay team after realizing they set a pool record by 0:00.53 of a second during the annual Jeffersonville vs. Floyd Central swim meet held at the Jeffersonville aquatic center on Dec. 18 2014. The Red Devils would end up winning the meet.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Thoughrobreds round the final turn of the 29th annual Woodford Reserve Turf Classic in which Victor Espinoza (5) riding Finnegans Wake came back from behind to win in a photo finish during the 141st Kentucky Derby Day on May 2, 2015, at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - LOGAN RIELY / Ohio University

Lewis-Palmer High School runner Nicole Montgomery was chosen as The Gazettes Peak Performer of the Year for girls track. Nicole was photographed at the Lewis-Palmer High School track. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

A police officer tries to avoid a punch by a firefighter while in the ring at the Columbus State Fairgrounds during the 26th annual Arnold Sports Festival held in Columbus, Ohio, on March 5, 2015. Every year the Ohio state troopers box against the fire department.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

A professional strongman entertains the crowd by attempting to hoist a multi hundred pound barbell over his head with one arm in between acts on the main EXPO stage at the Columbus Convention Center during the 26th annual Arnold Sports Festival on March 7, 2015.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jockey Kerwin D. Clark thanks a man in the crowd atop of his horse Lovely Maria #7 while in the Victory Circle after winning the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks on May 1, 2015, at Churchill Downs racetrack.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - LOGAN RIELY / Ohio University

Cheyenne Mountain's Kyle Sullivan is The Gazette Peak Performer of the Year for women's golf. She was photographed at her home course Country Club of Colorado on Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - LOGAN RIELY / Ohio University

Race compete in the All-American Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby which was held on a stretch of road along Costilla Street on Sunday, June 7, 2015. Drivers ranging from 7 to 19 years old will fly down 750-feet of Costilla Street and reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

A youth bareback rider receives help before falling off his horse during the first ever Mini Bareback Riding World Championship Semifinals held at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Oct. 7, 2015. Twenty of the best - and youngest - regional competitors put their bucking skills to the test for the chance to advance to the World Championships in Las Vegas in December.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Andrew Schmidt, 12, of Morrison, Illinois, sits in his dragster prior to racing in the 62nd annual World Series of Drag Racing event held at the Cordova International Dragway held on Aug. 28, 2015, in Cordova, Illinois. Schmidt began racing last year after watching his father and grandfather race for years.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

The Caretti family live in Clarington, Ohio, which is a small town located approximately 40 miles form West Virginia and has a population of less than 400 people.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Practicing in her driveway is sometimes the only chance Jensen has to practice throughout the week due to playing high school volleyball, which is now in season. “The gym I normally go to is 45 min. away so when I do have time to go, I will stay usually 3 hours to lift, condition and train all on my own,” she said.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jensen gets ready for the University of Pittsburgh women basketball coaches to come by for a visit. On average, her family hosts two teams everyday over the weekend.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jensen assists her mother Sharon with wrapping her leg that recently went under surgery. "Jensen is the most caring person I have ever met," Sharon says.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jensen sits in the back of the van while driving to church and playing with her younger brother, Parkers, hair. Parker is a junior and plays football as well as basketball for River High School.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

After a three hour long drive to Reynoldsburg, Jensen arrives at the Ohio Top 64 Showcase where she will play as the No. 1 recruit in front of universities that are recruiting her while playing against the top seniors in the state.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

College coaches from University of Louisville, Ohio State, Rutgers, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida State sit in the bleachers and watch as Jensen goes up for a layup in the Ohio Top 64 Showcase. Over 40 different colleges and universities have shown interest in her. By the end of the week, she should have her list narrowed down to her top 5.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jensen and her family pray with University of Pittsburgh women's basketball coaches during their home visit on Sept. 20, 2015, in Clarington, Ohio.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Unopened recruiting letters from colleges across the country lay on the kitchen table waiting to be looked at. “I just don’t have enough time to open them,” Jensen said, “and they keep coming more and more every day.”

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jensen shows off a new tattoo she received that reminds her of where she came from and to always put trust in God.

Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Logan Riely / Ohio University

Jensen and her family drive an hour ever Sunday morning to attend The Experience church. The church is a more progressive and "is more accepting of different types of people," said Sharon Caretti.