Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins wears Matiss Kivlenieks jersey for warm-ups prior to the season opening NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Oct. 14, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchOhio State running back TreVeyon Henderson and the Buckeyes take the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 13, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell (24) is announced in the starting lineup prior to the NCAA women's basketball game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Value City Arena in Columbus Nov. 17, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchHilliard Davidson Wildcats running back Jonny Weir (22) gets upended by Thomas Worthington Cardinals defensive back Connor Smith (8) before being hit by linebacker Bernard Oteng Jr. (24) during the second quarter of the OHSAA football game at Thomas Worthington on Sept. 17, 2021
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes guard Malachi Branham (22) shoots a layup around Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on Nov. 30, 2021. Ohio State won 71-66.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchColumbus Crew midfielder Luis Diaz (12) collides with New York Red Bulls midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr (23) during the first half of the MLS soccer game at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Sept. 14, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchA member of the Indiana Hoosiers Red Steppers dance team dances in the rain during the second quarter of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 23, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) celebrates making a shot and getting fouled during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Value City Arena in Columbus on Dec. 11, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchWesterville South head coach Tim Bates gets a bucket of water dumped on his head following the Wildcats' 3-2 win over Hilliard Darby in the Div. I district final at Westerville South on May 26, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes players carry the duck mascot off the field following their 35-28 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 11, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchPatrick Cantlay hoists the trophy after beating Collin Morikawa in a playoff to win the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on June 6, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchAfter sparring, Lyndsie MacNeer hugs fellow student Esther Hall at Short North Muay Thai on Sept. 1, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchOhio State Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison (9) makes his way through fans that stormed the field following the 33-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 31, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchWisconsin Badgers players play in the confetti following their five set win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the NCAA volleyball national championship at Nationwide Arena in Columbus onDec. 19, 2021.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchWithout many organized sports or after school activities in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus, many kids turn to gangs to occupy their time. The Hilltop Tigers soccer program helps keep kids away from violence, but organizers desperately need an indoor facility for winter. The group pleas with civic leaders and city council for financial support. Hilltop Tigers soccer coach Ali Jeylani drives a colorful 2004 Ford E350 transport van to pick up Hassan Aweis from the Wedgewood Apartments on Nov. 4. Jeylani drives several miles around the Hilltop to pick up kids for soccer practice from the Wedgewood and Havenwood housing communities.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchHilltop Tigers coach Ali Jeylani drives around the Hilltop, mainly in the Wedgewood and Havenswood housing communities, in a donated 2004 Ford E350 transport van picking up kids from the U16 soccer team to go to practice at Wilson Road Park on Nov. 4.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchAweys Bilal, 14, jogs one of four laps around the soccer fields at Wilson Road Park as he warms up for Hilltop Tigers soccer practice on Nov. 4. The practice would end up being the final outdoor practice of the fall season due to early darkness and colder temperatures.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchHilltop Tigers founder and co-director Siyat Mohamed helps coach soccer practice at Wilson Road Park on Nov. 4. The practice would end up being the final outdoor practice of the fall season due to early darkness and colder temperatures.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchSharmarke Abdi, 15, wraps his arms around twins Wencell and Wendell Medina as they finish practicing at Wilson Road Park on Nov. 4. The practice would end up being the final outdoor practice of the fall season due to early darkness and colder temperatures.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchWith weather being too cold to practice outside and an indoor soccer facility not yet being procured, members of the Hilltop Tigers hang out in the MyProjectUSA youth center watching soccer highlight videos from YouTube on the TV after school on Nov. 15.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchMy Project USA founder and executive director Zerqa Abid makes a passionate plea to Columbus City Council on Oct. 28 for budgetary funding that will allow the Hilltop Tigers soccer program to be able to play year round.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchWith Hilltop Tigers players lined up behind her, My Project USA founder and executive director Zerqa Abid makes a plea for donations to support youth programs like the Tigers during the My Project USA fall banquet on Nov. 7. My Project USA, which recently opened a youth center on Sullivant Avenue, provides Muslim social services and programming for kids in the Hilltop area.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchChristian McNair, 10, gathers his soccer cleats to get ready to play on the field at Havenwood Townhomes in the Hilltop on Nov. 22. Soccer is a popular hobby for many of underprivileged kids in the Hilltop like Christian. My Project USA funds the Hilltop Tigers program to keep kids active and out of trouble year round.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchSoccer is a popular activity for underprivileged kids in the Hilltop, like these at Havenwood Townhomes, on Nov. 22. My Project USA funds the Hilltop Tigers soccer program to keep kids active and out of trouble year round.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchChristian McNair, 10, retrieves soccer balls from the goal at Havenwood Townhomes in the Hilltop on Nov. 22. Soccer is a popular hobby for many of the kids in the Hilltop like Christian. My Project USA funds the Hilltop Tigers program to keep kids active and out of trouble year round.
Second place, Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year - Adam Cairns / The Columbus DispatchSoccer is a popular activity for underprivileged kids in the Hilltop, like these on the field at Havenwood Townhomes, on Nov. 22. My Project USA funds the Hilltop Tigers soccer program to keep kids active and out of trouble year round. According to neighbors, the field gets used every day of the year regardless of weather.
