FIRST PLACE: Mariana Julius, Rockwood Summit High School
Sophomore Grant Dinges (12) catches the ball to get a pickoff of junior Noah Johnson (5) of the Lafayette Lancers. Summit defeated the Lafayette Lancers on April 14 with a final score of 12-4. “I [call a pick] whenever there is a fast runner at second or their lead is getting really big,” Dinges said. (Mariana Julius/Rockwood Summit)
Judges Comments: What more could you ask for from a baseball picture? Great stopped action with a crisp shot of the ball, the dust, even the baserunner’s leg in the air. Lighting is a little low but the late afternoon light makes it feel like you are there.
SECOND PLACE: Aleah Johnson, Lawson High School
Jumping into the air, freshman Weston Sharp prepares to run the 400-meter dash. Sophomore Weston Briegel runs the 4×400-meter relay with Sharp. “My favorite part about running the 4×4 is the hype because it is the last race of the meet,” Briegel said. “Everyone is cheering for us.” (Aleah Johnson/Lawson)
Judges comments: Excellent use of elements of composition in this photo: center of visual interest, leading lines, repetition, texture…it’s all there. Perfect shutter speed. This photo demonstrates that photographers will get that perfect shot if they are willing to get in close and change their angles.
THIRD PLACE: Skyler Tyson, Rockhurst
Senior pitcher Michael LaSala checks a runner before he winds up to pitch as the Blue Valley Northwest on-deck hitter looks to get his timing down during the teams’ game on April 8, 2026. The Hawklets scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game, but the Huskies scored in the bottom half to win 7-6. (Skyler Tyson/Rockhurst)
Judges Comments: Shooting baseball means trying to contend with the fence, and this photographer figured out how to shoot through it. We love the diamond shape that the batter makes, perfectly framing the pitcher. Diamonds, after all, are a baseball term. The shade on the batter contrasted with the sun on the pitcher is another artistic element. Nicely done.
JUST PULL IT. Sophomore Nora Litten runs down the field practicing her ball handling on Apr. 3. Litten planned on participating in flag football again next year because of her love for the sport and the group of girls she gets to play with. “I enjoy the group of girls I’m with. Something that made me do flag football was my friends,” Litten said.
Photo by Brooke Roseberry
