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Favorites from 2023: Hawley picks his top sports pictures of year

tom hawley, the monroe news
·2 min read

Since returning to the Monroe News in 2012 Monroe County sports has not been disappointing in the least.

The high school teams that have made it to the state finals have been plentiful.

Dundee wrestling is at the top of the list. I've covered 12 straight team finals in Division 3 since 2012, along with coverage of the individual state finals.

All-Region Volleyball: Bedford's Victoria Gray named Player of the Year

I have photographed state finals of Whiteford in football and softball, SMCC in football, softball and volleyball, Dundee, Ida softball and Summerfield baseball.

There have been so many more championships in my 46-year-career which began in January 1978 with an internship at The Morning Sun in Mt. Pleasant while attending Central Michigan University.

Ida High School junior cheerleader Kilee Busby wearing her red evening gown as a member of this years homecoming court stands with the cheerleading squad during the National Anthem homecoming game October 6, 2023.
Ida High School junior cheerleader Kilee Busby wearing her red evening gown as a member of this years homecoming court stands with the cheerleading squad during the National Anthem homecoming game October 6, 2023.

But to this day, I can remember my first sports picture taken in 1977 of Ben Poquette at Central Michigan University flying through the sky for a dunk. Back then you used a manual 35mm camera with no motor drives. It was sharp and I was pretty excited about the image.

Since then, joining The Monroe Evening News in May, 1979, I can remember so many moments in high school sports. The state championships back in the 1980’s with Whiteford softball, Erie Mason football and Bedford wrestling.

This past year, which I must confess, my favorite image of the year is of a cheerleader in a red dress for homecoming as she lined up with her teammates at Ida High School.

I have always looked for sport feature images and this is my top image. Others that were among the top five images, the Dundee wrestling coaches at Dundee celebrating the championship win, the young boxers battling it out at Arthur Lesow Community Center, the catch for a touchdown of Blissfield at Ida in the end zone and the scramble on the girls basketball court at Summerfield.

So, Monroe County I am not sure what the future holds, but I hope to capture many more images.

Tom Hawley has been photographing high school sports for 46 years, above at Michigan State University for the softball state finals. Tom Hawley/The Monroe News
Tom Hawley has been photographing high school sports for 46 years, above at Michigan State University for the softball state finals. Tom Hawley/The Monroe News

Tom Hawley of the Monroe News has been photographing high school sports for 46 years.

Amateur fighter Lucas Wilcox wearing the colors of Joe’s ALCC Boxing of Monroe battled with James Garth of New Generation Boxing in the Knockouts in November Fights at the Opportunity Center at the Arthur Lesow Community Center Saturday night November 18, 2023.
Amateur fighter Lucas Wilcox wearing the colors of Joe’s ALCC Boxing of Monroe battled with James Garth of New Generation Boxing in the Knockouts in November Fights at the Opportunity Center at the Arthur Lesow Community Center Saturday night November 18, 2023.
Dundee head coaches Garrett Stevens and Nate Hall raised the yell out and raise the Division 3 Team Championship trophy after beating Whitehall at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Dundee head coaches Garrett Stevens and Nate Hall raised the yell out and raise the Division 3 Team Championship trophy after beating Whitehall at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Mason Case of Blissfield makes an incredible touchdown catch as Jak Kocinski of Ida applied tight coverage Friday, October 6, 2023 in the first quarter at Ida.
Mason Case of Blissfield makes an incredible touchdown catch as Jak Kocinski of Ida applied tight coverage Friday, October 6, 2023 in the first quarter at Ida.
Jaeli Jones of Summerfield tangles up with Brooke Weber in the Division 4 Regional final at Summerfield Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Jaeli Jones of Summerfield tangles up with Brooke Weber in the Division 4 Regional final at Summerfield Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Amateur Ari Hunter of Joe’s-ALCC boxing was ecstatic as the referee James Easter raised his arm beating Juan Jucinos of Azteca Boxing at the Opportunity Center at the Arthur Lesow Community Center Saturday night November 18, 2023.
Amateur Ari Hunter of Joe’s-ALCC boxing was ecstatic as the referee James Easter raised his arm beating Juan Jucinos of Azteca Boxing at the Opportunity Center at the Arthur Lesow Community Center Saturday night November 18, 2023.
Avery Collins of Blissfield is hugged by teammate Julia White as she was taken out of the game along side Abrie Lauden as Hemlock beat the Royals 59-43 in the Division 3 state finals at the Breslin Center Michigan State University Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Avery Collins of Blissfield is hugged by teammate Julia White as she was taken out of the game along side Abrie Lauden as Hemlock beat the Royals 59-43 in the Division 3 state finals at the Breslin Center Michigan State University Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Kole Katschor of Dundee has his arm raised after he beat Cole Karasinski of West Catholic in the 150 pound match 5-4 in overtime in the MHSAA Division 3 state finals at Ford Field Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Kole Katschor of Dundee has his arm raised after he beat Cole Karasinski of West Catholic in the 150 pound match 5-4 in overtime in the MHSAA Division 3 state finals at Ford Field Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Left fielder Alayna Pinkleman makes the catch colliding with her teammate centerfielder Callie Cousino of SMCC against Jefferson Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
Left fielder Alayna Pinkleman makes the catch colliding with her teammate centerfielder Callie Cousino of SMCC against Jefferson Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Favorites from 2023: Hawley picks his top sports pictures of year