northland preparatory academy | Taylor Mahoney Photography

While digging through the last years worth of images working on a “best of” post I came to the realization that my sports shots really needed their own post. This style of photography, while not something I ever thought I would do so much of, is a major part of what I do, but different enough from the rest that I think it justifies a separate post. Below is a variety of images which actually lean toward “sports feature” instead of sports action, good sport feature is really the more difficult side of sports shooting. While I may have been better shots throughout the year, Jah knows there were enough of them, here are 25 that I tend to like…

: Flagstaff Avalanche Head Coach Denny Lauritsen draws play diagrams on the glass during practice at Jay Lively Activity Center Thursday. (Taylor Mahoney/Arizona Daily Sun)

: Northern Arizona University Head Coach Jack Murphy communicates with forward Jordyn Martin (34) on the sidelines during game action against Southern Utah Saturday afternoon. (Taylor Mahoney/Arizona Daily Sun)

: Jacob McDaniel (23) of Northland Preparatory Academy pushes past a Camp Verde defender during game action Friday night. (Taylor Mahoney/Arizona Daily Sun)

: Coconino Head Coach Kelley Smith talks to players on the bench during Tuesday evening’s game against Kingman. (Taylor Mahoney/Arizona Daily Sun)

: The Flagstaff High School team cheers from the bench after winning against Coconino Friday night.

: The first runner crests the top of the first climb at the Kahtoola Uphill race held at the Arizoan Snowbowl Saturday.

: Flagstaff High School’s Grace Meyer (9) slides into third base during Thursday’s game against Winslow.

: Young fans line the fence at Mark Grace Field Friday night to watch the championship matchup against the WFLL Giants and Red Sox.

: West Flag Little Leagues Nick Lopez slides into home during game action against Winslow Friday.

: Tolman Moore of Las Cruces, N.M. is helped to his feet after being knocked unconcious when he was tossed from his horse during the bareback bronc riding competition at the Flagstaff Pro Rodeo Thursday evening.

: A rider lands on his head after being tossed from his horse during the bareback bronc riding competition at the Flagstaff Pro Rodeo. The rider stood up and walked away immediately after.

: Terry Zenkawich of Snowflake, Ariz. grabs onto a steer’s horns as he attempts to bring it to the ground during the steer wrestling competition at the Flagstaff Pro Rodeo Thursday.

: A participant in the Terrain Racing Mud Run Obstacle Race makes his way through one of many obstacles along the course at Fort Tuthill County Park Saturday. Runners could choose either a 5k or 10k course that features up to 20 obstacles ranging from mud pits and monkey bars to rope ladders and walls to climb.

: Adrian Nixt (19) of Northern Arizona University maneuvers around a North Dakota State player Friday.

: Northland Preparatory Academy’s Delaney Page (7) throws the ball back into play during Thursday afternoon’s game against Chino Valley.

: Fireworks ignite as the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks take the field in the Walkup Skydome for their final home game of the season against Northern Colorado Friday.

: Coconino High School Head Coach Jeremiah Smith kneels for a brief prayer before Friday’s homecoming game against Barry Goldwater High.

: Flagstaff High School’s Bridger Hershey (23) jumps to catch the ball along with two Payson players during game action Friday.

: Northern Arizona University’s Kendyl Taylor (13) flies over a Northern Colorado Player Friday.

: The Flagstaff High School Eagles football team celebrates after winning the city title game against Coconino High Friday night.

: Coconino High School Head Coach Jeremiah Smith talks with his team after Friday night’s city title game against Flagstaff High.

: Jordan Leiter (15) of Northern Arizona University dives for the ball during Saturday night’s Big Sky Conference Championship game against Idaho State.

: Addy Lofstedt celebrates with her team after beating Idaho State for the Big Sky Conference Championship Saturday night.

: Casey Yazzie of Coconino High School squares off against a wrestler from Durango in the 132 pound weight class during the Peaks wrestling tournament Friday.