First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLuke Zachrich hits Bill Yates across the face, knocking his mouth guard out. Zachrich won by unanimous decision, beating Yates in his debut fight at the Arnold Fitness Classic.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThomas Staab celebrates after sliding safely into home plate, scoring the first run of the game. Clear Fork took on Waynedale in the Division III state semifinals but lost 6-3.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThe Lakewood girls softball team rush into a pile up on the field after beating Keystone 7-4 in the D-II softball state championship game.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAubry Fletcher of Watkins Memorial returns a serve in a match against Granville Saturday morning.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateA Licking Heights player is flipped into a handstand in the Division II football playoffs against Franklin Heights. Final score was Franklin Heights 40, Licking Heights 32.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDelanie Pettit, 3, angry her mom will not allow her to go onto the field with the Heath high School cheerleading squad, watches from the sidelines as the girls warm up before the game.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThe Utica High school marching band waits for the football team to take the field in week 7.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateBalls are carried back out onto the field during the annual Licking County home run derby.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateWalter Gill's goggles slide off his face as he competes in the boys 50 meter freestyle style race Friday evening at the Licking County YMCA.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateKaden Carpenter leads the Johnstown defensive line takes the field for warm ups as they are greeted by their offensive line. Johnstown went into the final game of the season 9-0, same as their opponent, Heath, but lost in the last seconds of the game.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLuis Arias hits Gilberto Pereira dos Santos with a left upper cut during a fight at the Lifestyles Pavilion in Columbus during the Arnold Fitness Classic. Santos took the win that night in the super middleweight division.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLeo Crosby, a senior at Zanesville High School, is embraced by his coaches, Chris Miller andPat Lawson after failing to qualify for the final match at the 2016 state wrestling finals. Crosby was the wrestler from his school to qualify for the state meet in over 40 years. This year was his second and final chance to make the podium, but he fell just short of making the cut.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateIn the beginning weeks of summer little leaguers in the farm and varsity division battle it out at Mound City Ball Park for the coveted Shrine Tournament Championship title. The teams come from all over Licking County and play on the same ball field where their fathers and often grandfather played. Tensions and expectations run high as the teams get narrowed down to the final game.Players and parents stand for the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the Shrine Tournament quarterfinals.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateFamily members and friends decoded Pappy's Grill's dugout before the start of the championship game. Pappy's lost to J & D Storage.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLane Allen's helmut flies off as he is tagged by 3rd baseman, Brody White of Pappy's. Pappy's beat the Meyers team 11-10 in the farm division quarterfinals at the Shrine Tournament Saturday.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateMeyers Dental players watch their quarterfinal game against Pappy's Grill. Teams throughout Licking County gathered at Mound City baseball fields Saturday to play in the Shrine Tournament quarter finals.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateTerrie Hill, the man in charge of running the Shrine Tournament, comforts his grandson, while the rest of his team take the field. The team, Subway, lost in the quarterfinals of the farm division.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocatePappy's Grill team members sign the baseball Braylon Bates hit out of the park in the shrine tournament quarterfinals. The Shrine tournament is steeped in tradition, one of them being anytime a kid hits the ball out of the park, the ball will be collected for that player and signed by teammates.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateSiblings of players from the LMH team play around with balloons while their parents decorate the dugouts and fences for the championship game. LMH lost the final game to Newark Optometry.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDan's Family Pizza celebrates after beating Edward Jones in the consolation game. Dan's came back from a 6-1 lead to tie up the game in the sixth inning, taking the game to the seventh where they scored the last run needed for victory.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateWith the weight of the world on his shoulders, Anthony Bottomley, takes a moment before stepping onto the pitchers mound to try and turn the game around for his team. Bottomley was put in as relief pitcher in the final game of the tournament, but it just wasn't enough for his team, LMH, to overcome Newark Optometry.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThe Newark Optometry team is embraced by head coach Scott McLaughlin. The team finally won the Shrine Championship title after falling short in the finals the past two years.
First Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocatePlayers from J & D Storage struggle to carry their trophy after beating Pappy's Grill to earn the Shrine Tournament Championship. J & D allowed two hits and struck out 12 in five innings in a 10-0 victory J & D had an almost perfect season, 37-1.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community News
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsHilliard Davidson sophomore Kylie Kirchner, 15, practices her color guard routine before the start of a high school football game between the Olentangy Liberty Patriots and the Hilliard Davidson Wildcats on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsColorado Avalanche defenseman Francois Beauchemin (32) collides with Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Curtis McElhinney (30) while attempting to score during the second period of a NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, November 21, 2016 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. No interference was called on the play.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsDublin Coffman's Abby Steiner, center, falls toward the finish line as she races with Warren G. Harding's Justice Richardson, right, during the girls 100-meter dash final at the OHSAA Division I track and field state championships on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Though she tripped and fell, Steiner won the event with a time of 11.87 seconds. Richardson placed second in 11.89 seconds.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsMinnesota Golden Gophers middle blocker Paige Tapp (4) misses a dig during the first set of a NCAA Division I women's volleyball national semifinal between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Stanford Cardinal on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsUpper Arlington quarterback Sam Sass (14) leaps toward the end zone for a touchdown as Westerville North defensive back Brandon Mitchell, left, tries to defend during the first half of a high school football game between the Upper Arlington Golden Bears and the Westerville North Warriors on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsRob Pilger, second from right, of Columbus and owner of the Old Skool Fight Sports and Fitness Academy, warms up boxer Davien Henry, 12, right, of Columbus, before his 74-pound bout during the Amateur Boxing Showcase at the Dublin Irish Festival on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Coffman Park in Dublin, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsLeah Hodges, 11, of Powell, lines up her shot while playing a game of laser tag during an appreciation event for wish kids and their families organized by Make-A-Wish Ohio on Saturday, Mar. 26, 2016 at Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio. The event featured indoor laser tag from Buckeye Mobile Laser Tag and catering from Panda Express.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsPenn State alumnus Jonny Songer, left, of Emporium, Pennsylvania, takes a picture of "Big Nut" Jon Peters, right, of Fremont, Ohio, before a NCAA Division I college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsDouglas Simpson, of Powell, races around a turn during the criterium men's category 4/5 race at the Tour de Grandview on Friday, June 17, 2016 in Grandview Heights, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsBig Walnut's Bret Stacy competes in the boys' 200-yard freestyle during the OCC-Capital Division swimming championships on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016 at New Albany High School in New Albany, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsAli Wolff, of New Albany and riding Quirie 2, jumps over a gate while competing during the 19th annual New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at the Wexner residence in New Albany, Ohio. The event, hosted by Abigail Wexner, is a fundraiser for The Center for Family Safety and Healing.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsIndians fans react after an overturned call that ended the seventh inning of Game 6 of the MLB World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 outside Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South guard Ennis Thomas, center, huddles with his team during player introductions before the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship between the Westerville South Wildcats and the Lima Senior Spartans on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South center Kaleb Wesson, bottom, fights for a rebound with Lima Senior guard Jarius Ward (2) during the first half of the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship between the Westerville South Wildcats and the Lima Senior Spartans on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South forward Andre Wesson, right, tries to calm down his brother, Westerville South center Kaleb Wesson, center, after he took a hard foul during the first half of the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship between the Westerville South Wildcats and the Lima Senior Spartans on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South guard Ennis Thomas (10) attempts a three-pointer as Lima Senior forward Ruben Flowers III (11) defends during the second half of the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship between the Westerville South Wildcats and the Lima Senior Spartans on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South senior Monica Pedrozo, 18, watches during the second half of the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship between the Westerville South Wildcats and the Lima Senior Spartans on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South guard Jordan Humphrey, center, celebrates after hitting the go-ahead jumper with 1.8 seconds left during the fourth quarter of the OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship between the Westerville South Wildcats and the Lima Senior Spartans on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Westerville South defeated Lima Senior 57-55. Humphrey led all scorers with 19 points.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsWesterville South guard Jordan Humphrey (3) celebrates with fans after Westerville South's 57-55 victory against Lima Senior during their OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship on Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Humphrey, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, led all scorers with 19 points and hit the game-winning shot with 1.8 seconds left.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsA competitor heads back to shore after warming up in the water before starting the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Delaware State Park in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsMatthew Bowen, of Louisville, Kentucky, stretches out his arms and shoulders before starting a 1.2-mile swim during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Delaware State Park in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsAthletes in the men's 40-44 age group compete in a 1.2-mile swim during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Delaware State Park in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsEd Nydegger, of Hilliard, Ohio, exhales as he exits the water following a 1.2-mile swim during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Delaware State Park in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsJoe Reiss, right, of Beavercreek, Ohio, dries off his feet as he prepares for a 56-mile bike ride during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Delaware State Park in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsChris Schmauder, of North Olmstead, Ohio, races during a 56-mile bike ride during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Delaware State Park in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsSteven Anderson, of Verona, Wisconsin, races barefoot toward the transition station after finishing a 56-mile bike ride during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsAthletes race past Selby Stadium as they near the end of their 13.1-mile run during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 in Delaware, Ohio.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsMike Vulanich, center, of San Francisco, waits to get a bottle of water after finishing the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Selby Stadium in Delaware, Ohio. Vulanich finished a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run in 4 hours, 12 minutes and 53 seconds for first overall.
Second Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Joshua A. Bickel / ThisWeek Community NewsJorge Urruta, of New York City, celebrates as he nears the finish line during the Ironman 70.3 Ohio triathlon on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Selby Stadium in Delaware, Ohio. Urruta finished a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run in 4 hours, 59 minutes and 56 seconds.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchOhio State's Sean Melton flips during floor event at the Team Finals at the Big Ten Championships at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 1, 2016. Melton won this event with a score of 15.400. Ohio State won the team contest with a score of 434.450 over second place Illinois 429.700. Melton also had the top All-Around score of 89.750.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchAfter making a diving catch on a ground ball Columbus Clippers second baseman Ronny Rodriguez (13) throws out Charlotte Knights center fielder Jacob May (3) runner at 1st base during their game at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio on April 26, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchColumbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) checks Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) into the boards in the 1st period during their NHL game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on November 14, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) gets past Maryland Terrapins defensive back Alvin Hill (27) during the 1st half at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Md. on November 12, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchOhio Aviators Riekert Hattingh (8) scores the game winning try against Denver Stampede Chris Baumann (3) to win the game during the final regular season game during the inaugural season of the Professional Rugby Organization in Columbus, Ohio on July 31, 2016. Denver won the overall Championship by one bonus point.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes tight end Marcus Baugh (85) leaps over Maryland Terrapins defensive back JC Jackson (7) after making a catch during the 1st half at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Md. on November 12, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchReal Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio (28) takes a corner kick against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2nd half at Ohio Stadium on July 27, 2016. The college football cathedral drew an announced crowd of 86,641, the largest to witness a soccer game in Ohio. The game was also the first soccer game at Ohio Stadium since 1999.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchWesterville South Jordan Humphrey (3) celebrates after making the game winning shot against Lima Senior in the 2nd half in the Ohio High School Division I championship game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 19, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes wide receiver Noah Brown (80) makes his third touchdown catch of the half against Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Michiah Quick (16) in the 2nd quarter at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Norman, Oklahoma.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchCleveland Cavalier fans looks at the Larry O'Brien Trophy during the NBA Championship parade outside Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland on June 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchThe Little Brown Jug is a harness race for three-year-old pacing standardbreds hosted by the Delaware County Agricultural Society since 1946 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds racetrack in Delaware, Ohio. The race takes place every year on the third Thursday after Labor Day. The Little Brown Jug is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for PacersMiss Me Yet driven by Montrell Teague warms up during the 9th race at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchSpectators wait to place a bet before the 12th race at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchAJ Carlo wipes water off Clarebear while giving her a bath at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchHolly Bowin watches as Western Fame driven by Mark MacDonald wins the preliminary heat during the 14th race at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016. It was the time coming to the Little Brown Jug for Holly.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchRay Seeley of Florida reads his program before the 15th race at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016. It was Seeley's 51st Little Brown Jug.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchSpectators read their program before making a bet before the 15th race at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchSpectators watch from under the stands at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchScott Zeron driving Sliding Home gets a head of Jack Vernon driven by Matt Kakaley during the 11th race at the 71st Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
Third Place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus DispatchBetting Line driven by David Miller passes out yellow roses after winning the 71st Little Brown Jug for the 4th time in Delaware, Ohio on September 22, 2016.
