Photographer of the Year Portfolio
A Conversation with God
With the heat turned up before the Homecoming football game on Sep 29, quarterback Elijah Rupejko leads the varsity team in prayer. Rupejko started the prayers in his senior season, alongside junior varsity players Landon Evans and Justin Howard, in hopes of bonding the team through faith. “It hasn’t been till pretty recently that I’ve kinda realized how much faith can impact you,” Rupejko said. “We’re talking to God and we’re getting all on the same page as far as our thoughts and what was important in this game: keeping everyone healthy, being grateful that we have the opportunity to go play." This new tradition helped Rupejko and his teammates realize how fortunate they were. "You’re not entitled to it, it’s a privilege. It’s a great privilege to be able to play and represent the school. And the thing that helps me realize that is God. Y’know, no day is ever promised.”
A Win is a Win
Marking one of the biggest plays of the game against Sierra on Sep 7, guard and offensive linebacker Cole Zulkosky, and tackle Tristan Dosch, celebrate after Zulkosky sacked Sierra's quarterback in the backfield. The game ended with a 3-20 loss for the Lancers which added to their completely defeated record at the time. However, the Lancers went on to end the season with a 4-6 record while Zulkosky added 5 more sacks and 41 extra tackles to his career stats, putting the Lancers in a better position.
Rising to the Top
After sprinting down the court while fighting through Cheyenne Mountain defenders, freshman Cameron Waithe-Cunningham springs for a layup as he fights for the varsity win on Dec 7. Despite his age, Waithe-Cunningham made varsity amidst one of the biggest cuts the team has yet to see. He proved coaches right with an average of 13.2 points per game and 291 total points in his first season. “At the beginning of the season, it was different playing against 17 and 18-year-olds who are stronger [than me] physically,” 15-year-old Waithe-Cunningham said. “I got used to it once I calmed down after the first few games [and became more relaxed.” Waithe-Cunningham was one of three freshmen on the varsity team that season, the first time that many freshmen have made the team since 2005.
When Nothing is Working
Glancing back at the scoreboard while speaking with Coach Grundvig, quarterback Elijah Rupejko accepts that any hope of winning was slipping out of the team's hands. Liberty lost their third game of the season, against Sierra High School on Sep. 7, with a score of 3-20. "None of our plays were working,” Rupejko said. "We really put ourselves in a hole at the start of the season. It was disappointing.” The changes in coaching staff this year may have contributed to the rough start to the season with a disrupted flow of practices, added plays to the playbook and less time for developing relationships between coaches and players. However, the Lancers would continue to win the next three games against Gateway, Hinkley and Palmer and end the season with a 4-6 record.
A Perfect Drive
In the height of an intense match, Jayden-Anthony Hill smacks the ball to score a point that would lead to his team's win. Liberty's Pickleball club was introduced to the student body in 2022 and allows students to learn the game and play against their peers during the lunch period. The club provides additional learning opportunities to the already available racquet sports class and leaves space for the super competitive, novice players and those just there to have fun. “I believe that smacking things with an object is insanely fun and that's what makes pickle ball so much fun,” Hill said.
Spike it Down
After scoring a point that would secure their win and take them to the final four of the Peachfuzz tournament on Feb 29, Gavin Bartle and Liam Clarke scream with pride of their unshakeable lead. Peachfuzz took place during Wish Week as a way to raise extra money for Leo, Liberty's wish kid. It gave boys of all grades the chance to form a volleyball team that would learn the game and put their skills into practice in a matter of just a few weeks. The teams were coached by girls volleyball players who, according to Bartle, "make it fun to play.”
Out of My Hands
As Micah Newton drives the puck down the ice to score a goal that would place Liberty just one point behind Summit in the second period of the State Semi-Finals game on March 3, hockey player Carson Storey shows his full support from the student section. Storey had played hockey for almost 5 years, planning on joining Liberty's team his freshmen year, but unfortunately broke his leg before the season even started. With a long recovery, Storey was forced to watch the season off the ice, a season that almost took the team to state championships and ended with a 16-5 record. "When Summit scored in the third period I got super anxious and all I wanted was to see a goal from us," Storey said. "After the game ended it was super emotional because we had come such a long way and to see us lose like that was super sad." Despite not being able to play, Storey spent the season with the team and was given a new perspective of the game. "I was super anxious just to get back on the ice... all I wanted to do was just be out there with them. I just accepted that I was not playing this year and moved forward. Not being able to play this season has given me the opportunity to look at the game of hockey differently."
When Time Stops
As the State Semi-Finals game on March 3 comes to a close and all chances at making it to championships are eliminated, Tristan Ward clings to his brother while the reality of the loss sets in. Liberty's 16-5 season was the first to put the team on the path to state since 2001, and ended abruptly with an uncalled high-stick penalty. After Liberty tied the game 3-3 in the second period, Summit was allowed another goal as a result of a high-stick on Liberty goalie, Logan Gabrielson, which left the net open for the puck to bounce in. The penalty wasn't called by referees despite the Liberty fan's loud disapproval and a later review of the play on KRDO NewsChannel 13. “My brother and I were wishing things had ended different, but excited for the next big thing,” Ward said. Ward was the last to the locker room because of this extended moment with his brother who had been just outside the glass watching the game unfold.
