Ten months, three schools, several sports, one hundred and eighty plus galleries, and over forty three thousand ( yes, you read that right; THOUSAND) photos later, I can definitely say this, it was a very busy year.  

One hundred and eighty galleries, that is 180+ different games, partial games or events.  A lot of them, were games one of my kids played in, as Alex played five sports for Staley Middle School and Katie played four sports for Frisco High School.  However, many were games and events that my kids did not participate in.  I am so fortunate, blessed and lucky to be able to be down on the sidelines, and track that I take photos whenever I can, mainly because it is something I love.  

So here are some of my thoughts, from the heart.  I feel so fortunate to live in Frisco, we have some of the best coaches right here in Frisco, not just at Staley and Frisco High, but district wide.  We also have some amazing and talented athletes, again, not exclusive to Staley and Frisco High, but throughout the district.  I am impressed, not only by their athleticism, but their overall character.  They are respectful, kind and caring.  I have seen our athletes win and lose, always with grace and dignity.  I have seen the bonds of friendship form, withstand and even flourish despite zoning boundaries.  I have seen the athletes cheer for their fellow athletes in the district, I have seen the hugs and back slaps after inter district games.  I have seen one school team, support other school teams.  I have seen coaches helping other coaches, in their school, and others in the district.  I have seen parents cheer for their friend's children, and their children's friends.  I can tell you it is a beautiful, heart warming site to see these athletes from different schools interact after a game.   I love how Frisco can still have that small town feel even after thirteen middle schools and six high schools, with two more high schools in the building and planning stages.  

The other thing I know, is that I love photographing sports.  I love being able to capture the action of the game, the volleys and spikes of volleyball; the catches and touchdowns of football; the jumps and shots of basketball; the endurance of cross country; the jumps, speed and all out sprints of track; the headers, passes and goals of soccer; and the hits and plays of softball.  I love being able to capture the split second of the ball and the player together, a moment of action, a micro clip of the game, a moment of success.  I find it a privilege to try to capture some of the moments in these young athletes lives.  I have been so very blessed to meet awesome athletes, coaches, and parents that I would otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet.  This ties back to Frisco having that small town feel.  

By far, the one thing that I love the most about photographing sports, is the emotions.  Through every minute of every match, meet, and game I am emotionally invested.  Not just the ones my kids are playing in, but every single one.  I am emotionally tied to Staley Middle School and Frisco High School.  Being down on sidelines, close to the actions, I feel the emotions.  I have been able to witness/photograph some amazing events this year.  Looking back, the ones that I remember the most are the ones that brought out the biggest emotions.  The on field/court celebrations, the jumps of joy, the hugs and the tears.  This is what warms my heart and bring tears to my eyes.  This is what I love.

Here are some of those moments.

Frisco High School: 

Varsity Football's unexpected homecoming win against Wakeland.

Varsity Volleyball's come from behind wins against Cedar Hill and Prosper.

Varsity Volleyball's come from behind bid against Centennial fall short. 

Freshman A Volleyball's come from behind win against Centennial.

Freshman B Volleyball's exciting win against Wakeland.

Cross Country District meet with both Varsity and JV girls taking home the title.  JV with a perfect score. 

Varsity Girls Cross Country team state send off in front of the school.

Cross Country State Meet when the girls ran in harsh conditions and  placed sixth.

The incredible week in the fall, when Volleyball was Regional runner up, Varsity Football made it to the playoffs as District Runner Up, and Girls Cross Country was Regional Runner Up. 

JV Girls Soccer's losses to Wakeland.

Varsity Girls Soccer's heartbreaking loss to Liberty on PK's.

Varsity Girls Soccer's exciting playoff win against Prosper.

District Track meet where both Varsity and JV Girls bought home second place.

Staley Middle School:

7th Grade Football Blue Team's last second wins against Hunt, Pioneer and Vandeventer.

7th Grade Football White Team three games of not letting the opponent score a touchdown.

8th Grade A Team Boys Basketball's amazing last second win against Pioneer.

7th Grade Girls B team Basketball tie against Cobb.

7th Grade Boys District Cross Country Meet where the boys took home second place. 

7th Grade Boys Soccer's exciting win over Cobb.

7th Grade Boys Soccer's heartbreaking loss to Wester on PK's in the District Tournament.

As I photograph each event, I try to not only capture the action, but the emotion, because that is what makes it real, that is what we feel, what we remember. Thinking back through these events, I know I shared all the emotions that the players and parents were feeling.  I have been know to shed a few tears on the sidelines, for the excitement, the intensity, the heartbreak and the joy.  I know that through all the hours, the cold, the heat, the excitement, the intensity, the tears, the heartbreak, and the joy, I have loved every single minute of it and would do it all again in a heartbeat.

In closing, I wish I could have made more events, yes, believe it or not, more.  More Staley volleyball, girls basketball and 8th grade football and basketball.  More Frisco High basketball, boys soccer, softball and baseball.  As a parent, I have loved watching my son play his first football and basketball game. All the sports, as it was his first school affiliated games.  And also my daughter running in the state cross country meet, and all her firsts for high school.  These are special moments.  My hope is that, through my photography, I have given other parents a special memory of their children.

To the Frisco High School and Staley  Middle School coaches, thank you for always making me feel welcome.

To the Frisco High School and Staley Middle School athletes, it is an honor and privilege to watch, photograph and get to know you, thank you for making my year so wonderful.   I loved every minute of it.

To the parents, you have amazing kids, they continue to impress me, you should be very proud.

Thanks for the memories.

            Frisco High's exciting Homecoming  win over Wakeland. 

           Varsity  Volleyball's come from behind win agains Cedar Hill.  Still one of my favorite photos.

          Varsity Cross Country finding out they did win the District Title, for the seventh straight year. 

          Freshman B Volleyball's win against Wakeland.  Personally, a great ending to a wonderful day, as my daughter was on this team, and also was on the cross country team that won district that morning. 

                                                        Coach Rieter at the Cross Country send off to the State Championship Meet

The hugs between teams after the girls JV soccer game against Wakeland. 

                                                      Varsity Soccer, hugs after the heartbreaking loss to Liberty on Pk's.

                          Varsity Soccer's playoff win against Prosper.  Pure Joy!!

  Staley 7th Grade boys Blue team sideline celebration of the winning touchdown against Hunt with less than 30 second left in the game.

           Staley 8th Grade boys basketball's celebrating the last second win against Pioneer.

  Staley 7th Grade Boys Soccer's on field celebration after the win against Cobb. 

Staley Boys 7th grade soccer's celebration of the game tying goal with less than two minutes left in the game against Wester in the District Tournament.

Thank you for all the support, it was truly an awesome year, and I can't wait until next year!