Updated Jan 01, 2013 @ 06:59 PM
2012 was a busy year for sports. I would say that I covered about 300 games of one sort or another over the course of the year. One thing I have learned is that the activities do not let up. When one sport ends, another one starts right up. Keeps me very busy but I enjoy every second of it and look forward to 2013. I went through my files looking over all my images and started choosing a selection of photos to add that were some of my favorites and that show just how busy a sports year 2012 was in the area. I ended up adding a bunch. Like I said, it was a busy year.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
The Frontenac baseball team celebrates its first-ever state baseball title on the infield of Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan. The Raiders were one of the best feel-good stories of 2012.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg junior Gershom Avalos celebrates after winning the individual title in the 220-pound championship match, defeating Matt Kellerman of Prairie View 4-3 Saturday evening at the Class 4A regional in Fort Scott.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State forward Lizzy Jeronimus holds up her arms in celebration of the Gorillas winning the South Central Regional and cementing a spot in the Elite Eight in San Antonio. Jeronimus won Regional MVP and Pitt State finished its season 27-6, the best year in the history of the women’s basketball program.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Morgan Gilmore (12) of St. Mary’s Colgan is met at home plate by her teammates after connecting for a first-inning two-run home run against Humboldt in a Class 3A regional final at Southeast High School. Gilmore also struck out 19 Humboldt batters in the 5-3 victory.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg seniors Broc Bennett, Jornell Fondren, Joe Wimmer, Brandon Baker, Cole Angermayer, Dylan Gromer, Adam Redd and Zach Baden celebrate Pittsburg winning a Class 4A regional baseball championship and clinching its first berth in the state tournament since 2008. Pittsburg defeated Baxter Springs 9-3 in the final Wednesday night at JayCee Ballpark.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
St. Mary’s Colgan head baseball coach Mike Watt celebrates the final out during the first game of a doubleheader against Frontenac at JayCee Ballpark. The 3-2 come-from-behind victory was the 500th of coach Watt’s career.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frontenac junior Brett Macary makes an over-the-shoulder 9-yard reception for a touchdown in overtime Friday night as St. Mary’s Colgan juniors Colton Gilbert and Drew Dawson defend at Hutchinson Field. The touchdown would prove to be the game winner as Frontenac defeated the Panthers 26-25.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
St. Mary’s Colgan senior running back Conner Dayton extends his body for a first-down grab of 27 yards, setting up a Colton Gilbert 20-yard TD run in the 63-28 playoff win over Humboldt at Hutchinson Field. Dayton rushed for 1,482 yards on the season and gained 1,981 all-purpose yards and scored 17 total TDs.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State starting pitcher Matt Stalcup dives for a pop up near the mound to record an out against Central Missouri during the second game of a doubleheader Saturday at Al Ortolani Field. Stalcup pitched a complete game but the Gorillas fell 5-1 after dropping game one 18-2.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Girard 9-10 All-Stars second baseman Rigby Born gives all-out effort to get a glove on a fly ball Monday evening against Riverton but was unable to maintain possession of the ball as he fell to the ground during the opening game of the Kansas State Little League Tournament in Baxter Springs.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg No. 2 catcher Hannah Drenik slides into third after moving forward on an overthrow. Drenik hit a double which scored Sarah Lundberg in the third and Drenik herself would later score on a wild pitch. Despite the best efforts of Drenik, Pittsburg lost 7-3 to Colgan in a High School League softball game Wednesday evening at the PSU Sports Complex.
SEAN STEFFEN/FILE PHOTO/THE MORNING SUN
Pitt State outfielder Cheslyn Mitchell connects with a pitch at the PSU Softball Complex in April. The predominantly young PSU softball team broke school records in several offensive categories and enjoyed a 15-game winning streak in the middle of the season.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Girard runner Anthony Scholes scores a run for the Trojans after dislodging the ball from the glove of Pittsburg catcher Dylan Gromer Tuesday evening at JayCee Ballpark.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg Post 64 baserunner Nick Vacca collides with Nevada catcher Trevor Norbury as the ball comes loose to score a run Thursday afternoon during the Pittsburg American Legion Wood Bat Tournament at JayCee Ballpark.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frontenac catcher Sam Bonner fires a throw to first attempting to throw out Hope McLeod of Girard after fielding a bunt Thursday evening during game one of a doubleheader. Frontenac swept both games 11-2 and 13-1.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State shortstop Evan Thomas throws to first to record an out after fielding a fourth-inning grounder Monday afternoon during the first game of the Gorillas’ home-opening doubleheader against Sioux Falls at Al Ortolani Field.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Citizens Bank infielder Deonte Duncan tags Meadowbrook Mall runner Colby James out at second base during their game Monday night at Ted Carnino Field.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State shortstop Mannie DeCastro throws to first after diving to grab a grounder Friday evening against Missouri Western during the second game of a doubleheader at the PSU Softball Complex. Missouri Western swept both games, 5-0 and 3-2.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
With some of the players sporting their rally caps, Pittsburg Post 64 players Nick George, Nate Grimaldi, Blake Vail, Christian Cedeno, Brett Macary and Dylan Gromer cheer on their teammates as Post 64 made a rally against the Nebraska Sluggers at Al Ortolani Field, home of the Pittsburg State baseball team. Post 64 won the game 6-5 on a walk-off walk in the eighth by Bryce Burdette.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
St. Mary’s Colgan senior pitcher Morgan Gilmore prepares to launch a pitch against Frontenac in the Class 3A softball regional played at Southeast High School. Gilmore led the Panthers to a trip to the state tournament and she earned a selection to the All-County Softball Team.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frontenac youth softball players practice proper technique in throwing softballs during a practice guided by Pittsburg State students Ashton Warrick and Riley Campbell, who will each head to basic training in the coming weeks.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Chloe Gariglietti, 11, listens intently to the batting instruction of Pittsburg State sophomore Ashton Warrick at a softball practice on Thursday. Warrick and PSU freshman Riley Campbell are both headed to basic training this summer, and volunteered to spend the afternoon teaching roughly a dozen young girls some tips about softball at the Frontenac softball fields.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State safety Marquise Cushon dives over Lindenwood quarterback Dillon Miller to recover a first-quarter fumble Saturday afternoon at Carnie Smith Stadium.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Members of the College of DuPage (Ill.) Chaparrals football team leap into the Pittsburg State University Lake next to Carnie Smith Stadium in celebration of their 42-29 Citizens Bank Bowl victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Sunday afternoon.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Girard senior linebacker Nate George hangs on to Caney Valley running back Anthony Camper for a tackle in the 2012 season opener. George was one of the leaders on the ferocious Girard defense. Frank Jameson Field and most football fields were a wonderland of mud and muck several weeks this past football season.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg senior receiver Zack Woods makes a grab for a 23-yard catch on a fourth down pass from quarterback Spencer Bernhardt that would later lead to a touchdown on the first quarter drive Friday night against Blue Valley West at Hutchinson Field.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State senior Becca Pearson makes a set in a home game at the revamped John Lance Arena. The refurbished arena made its official debut Sept. 11 against Central Oklahoma for a volleyball match and the new floor will be officially dedicated Jan. 5, 2013, as Pitt State basketball takes on MIAA foe Northwest Missouri for a doubleheader broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frontenac senior Lindsey Gorham digs out a shot Tuesday night against St. Mary’s Colgan during a highly-competitive and highly-cooperative high school volleyball triangular at St. Mary’s Colgan Fieldhouse.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frontenac volleyball players Lindsey Gorham (10), Andi Palumbo (13), Jennifer Long (5) and Ryleigh McCartney (24) celebrate a point during Tuesday night’s quadrangular at home. Frontenac swept Pleasanton, Neodesha and Galena to start its season 3-0.
Sean Steffen
Pittsburg State players Crystal Whitten (7), Hayley Hansford (8) and Brooke Fay (5) celebrate the Gorillas’ four-set win Saturday over William Jewell in the final match of the Pitt State Volleyball Classic, a nine-school tournament featuring colleges and universities from six different states. Pitt State went 4-0 over two days of games at Pittsburg High School
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Arma resident Ashley Hittle, of team I’d Hit That, goes for a dig during the Arma V-J Homecoming annual mud volleyball tournament Saturday morning. Hundreds of people young and old attend the event each year.
Sean Steffen
Girard junior Timbrelee McNair shows the form which resulted in school and course records for lowest 18-hole score. McNair shot 74 on Thursday, breaking her own records by two shots, and she finished 13 shots better than runner-up Anna Pool of Coffeyville in the Girard Invitational at Crawford Hills Golf Course.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
A closer view of the state title medal won by Girard junior Timbrelee McNair in the Class 4A golf tournament. McNair was featured in the pages of an Oct. 29 double issue of Sports Illustrated, joining five other high school athletes and professional athletes Miguel Cabrera, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State defensive end Gus Toca celebrates his first quarter sack of Central Missouri quarterback Colter Smith for a 7-yard loss Saturday afternoon at Carnie Smith Stadium.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frontenac senior quarterback Devon Keith attempts to elude the grasp of St. Mary’s Colgan sophomore defender Austin Commons Friday during a first-quarter keeper at Hutchinson Field.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg High School senior Brandon Smith returns a ball during practice Thursday at the PSU Tennis Courts. Smith, a relative newcomer to the sport of tennis, has won his first 20 matches this season in No. 2 singles and shared a Southeast Kansas League title in No. 2 doubles last year with his partner and fellow senior Sean Perkins.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State freshman high jumper Shanise Rice clears a jump Saturday during the 4th annual Gorilla Classic at Prentice Gudgen Track. Rice finished fourth in the event with a height of 5-4.50.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg senior Stefon Rich throws down a dunk over a defending Cedric Taylor of Parsons Tuesday evening during the Purple Dragons' 54-35 victory at Pittsburg High School. Rich finished with a game-high 17 points.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg State guard Drake Green throws down a dunk Saturday afternoon against Fort Hays State at John Lance Arena.
SEAN STEFFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Amanda Orloske, left, and Lizzy Jeronimus tie up Brittney Dukes of Southwest Baptist Wednesday evening at John Lance Arena. Pittsburg State overcame an eight point halftime deficit to defeat the Bearcats 63-54.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg guard Mackenzie Spresser protects the ball as Hope McLeod of Girard makes a steal attempt Tuesday evening during their semifinal matchup at the Wilson County Classic on the floor of Neodesha High School. Pittsburg won the game 42-33 to move on to the finals on Friday.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg junior Tanner Ellis connects with his third consecutive three point shot attempt during the Purple Dragons’ 74-46 victory over Columbus Thursday evening at Columbus High School.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Pittsburg runner Jonny Adamson maintains his lead on Paola runner Corey Fedor during the Pittsburg Invitational cross country race held at the Four Oaks Golf Course on Thursday. Adamson came in fifth in the varsity boys race with his time of 17:39, the highest finish of any varsity competitor from Crawford County
Sean Steffen
Pittsburg junior Danilo Pinheiro shoots on goal, past a Coffeyville defender, Thursday during a 3-0 shutout win for the Purple Dragons. Pinheiro scored a goal (not on this kick) and assisted on two others.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Shayla Sjorlund and horse Beau participate in the 4-H Horse Timed Events Saturday morning at the Horse Arena. Sjorlund, 18, was saluted for being in her final year in 4-H, a member of the Lucky Riders 4-H Club.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Missouri player Adonis Hartsfield grabs a rebound Saturday in the Via Christi Gorilla Invitational Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the PSU Student Recreation Center. Missouri won all three of its games Saturday by a combined 100 points and earned the No. 1 seed for today, looking for its first Gorilla Invitational title since 2009.
