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Even without seeing his face, Cade Jones' excitement can be felt through his gesture and is reflected by his coaches' reactions. West Branch's Cade Jones celebrates his victory over Caleb Ciavarelli of Clarksville in the 195 pound Class 1A state championship match at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Saturday, February 18, 2012. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)
While covering the first day of the state soccer tournament, I shot thousands upon thousands of photos photos from six games without checking the images on the back of the camera. Even with a camera that shoots 10 frames per second, it's rare to get a photo of the moment of impact from a header, so this photo jumped out at me while editing after the game. West Des Moines Valley's Matthew Olson (23, right) is hit in the face as he and Iowa City High's Fernando Pacheco (10) jump for the ball in the first period of their Class 3A quarterfinal game at the state soccer tournament on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Norwalk won a shootout.(Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)
This photo breaks the rules of good sports action: there’s barely a face, no conflict with the opposing team and she was well past the base. But the uncertainty in the frame actually tells the story of the game, and I couldn't resist the sweet evening light. Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Rachel Sedlacek (1) slides into third base in the first inning of their regional playoff game against Davenport West at Jefferson on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in Cedar Rapids. Jefferson lost 1-2. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)
I knew captured a nice moment when Lisbon's Conner Smock (right) got a hug from his father Dan after Conner won the class 1A 3200 meter run during the 2012 Iowa High School State Track and Field Meet at Drake Stadium on Thursday, May 17, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa, said The Gazette-KCRG visual journalist Jim Slosiarek. Sometimes the reaction in sports photography is more compelling than the action. I like the bit of sunlight on Dan Smock's face as well as his expression. Smock won by .02 of a second at 9:37:06. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)
The expression on City West’s Shelly Stumpff’s (center) face says it all as she cheers during the celebration of winning the class 4A championship after defeating Ankeny at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, March. 3, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. West won in overtime. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG-TV9)
This is a good illustration of staying with the action and not taking your eye from the viewfinder after the play is over. I like the expectant look as the face of Ballard's Brooke Mallon (left) as she looks at the home plate umpire for the call after she tags out Solon's Taylor Nearad for the final out during the seventh inning of their class 3A championship game at the 2012 Iowa Girls State Softball Tournament at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex on Friday, July 20, 2012, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Ballard won, 5-4. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)
Dike-New Hartford celebrates after the Wolverines defeated Western Christian for the Class 2A championship at the 2012 State Volleyball Tournament at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, November 10, 2012. Generally I prefer sports photos with a clean background and cropped the peak action or reaction. I liked the chaos of this image and the fact there are our or five distinct moments taking place within the image.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)
Cedar Rapids Xavier's Matt Nelson hauls in a pass in the endzone over Andrew Gassman of Linn-Mar for a two point conversion during the first quarter at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, October 19, 2012. Light, or more precisely the lack there of, is something you battle when photographing high school football. The haze from the rain and the direction the receiver is facing turned this into an image where the light worked in my favor. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Devon Jacobus reacts as he is nearly hit with a pitch during the first game of a double header against Cedar Rapids Xavier at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids on Monday, June 25, 2012. I like the anticipation on his face, he's is expecting to get hit and he is expecting it to hurt. I shot a lot of frames of batters at a lot of games just to occasionally capture an image like this. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)
I have always had fun photographing Iowa Wrestling Head Coach Tom Brands during matches. His desire to win is second to none and his intensity always makes for great photos. In this photo Brands jumps in the air as Iowa's Nick Moore scores a take down and near fall points on Minnesota's Alec Ortiz during their 157 pound match in their dual meet Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Moore won the match by a score of 11 to 2 and Iowa won the meet 19-17. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)
Good celebration photos are all about faces and the face of Xavier's Kayla Armstrong tells it all as she celebrates with the rest of the team following their victory over North Scott in the 2012 Iowa Girls High School Class 2A State Soccer Championship Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the Muscatine Soccer Complex in Muscatine. Xavier won the game 3-1 to claim the state title. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)
I could not believe my eyes when as I pressed the shutter button the hair of Iowa City West's Shelly Stumpff (11) twisted into her face while throwing out a Cedar Rapids Prairie base runner during their Class 5A Regional Final Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Iowa City West. West won the game 6-0 to advance to the State Softball Tournament. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)
I love the reactions of the rest of the team as Iowa senior Eric May dunks the ball during the slam dunk contest at the Black and Gold Blowout Friday, Oct. 19, 2012 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)
I have been following Cedar Raids native Zach Johnson at the John Deere Classic for the last eight years and it was really exciting to see him celebrate after sinking a birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win this year's tournament Sunday, July 15, 2012 at the TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)
