This is the start of my new year's resolution: maintaining my blog at least once a month. In college, I used to update my old Wordpress after every assignment--which was a bit overkill. And blogging less often forces me to edit, another skill I am striving to better .
Below are my favorite images from January, starting with, what I think, is my strongest photo of the month of a wrestler checked on a stretcher. Oftentimes, what I am encouraged to look for shows athletes at their toughest moment or highest jubilation. But sports cannot have a storytelling victor without showing the struggle: blood, tears, injuries. Photos like this are necessary to warn parents before enrolling their kids in contact sports. Unfortunately, a winning story can come at a painful price.
Greensburg Salem's Jesse Quatse is checked by medics after his injury against Latrobe's Joe Russo during their 120-pound bout on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at Latrobe High School. Latrobe won 65-6.
Freshman swimmer Garrett Ashbaugh looks toward a new sign dedicated to Judson Shiffler, a WPIAL champion swimmer who died Dec. 30 in a car accident, before a home swim meet against Greensburg Salem on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015.
Southmoreland sophomore Nate Lockhart adjusts his Scotty dog mascot uniform during halftime of the Greensburg Salem vs. Southmoreland game on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 at Southmoreland. Southmoreland won 58-53.
From right to left, Jenny Campbell, Haley Pilston, Sam Kolar, Lisa Reddington wait to compete in the WPIAL Competitive Spirit championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 at Hempfield Area High School.
Bethel Park cheerleader Erin Brown reacts as she is pushed around while waiting for champions to be named at the WPIAL Competitive Spirit championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 at Hempfield Area High School.
Pine Richland holds hands and with their good luck doll named Parmesan while waiting for champions to be named at the WPIAL Competitive Spirit championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 at Hempfield Area High School.
Chartiers-Houston cheerleader Jenna Vulcano reacts after winning the WPIAL Competitive Spirit championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 at Hempfield Area High School.
Hempfield cheerleader Marley Lucas reacts after competing in the WPIAL Competitive Spirit championships on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 at Hempfield Area High School.
Latrobe's Joe Russo reacts during his 120-pound bout against Greensburg Salem's Jesse Quatse on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at Latrobe High School. Latrobe won 65-6.
Franklin Regional wrestlers warm up.
Derry's Madison Deluca receives a hug during senior day festivities before playing Laurel Highlands on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Laurel Highlands won 50-39.
Derry's Renee Rectenwald listens to the national anthem with her teammates before playing Laurel Highlands on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Laurel Highlands won 50-39.
Latrobe's Joel Cawoski reacts after beating Kiski's Logan Pollick during the WPIAL quarterfinals at Latrobe High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Latrobe won 34-27.
Latrobe's Luke Pletcher grabs a hold of Kiski's Mason Valore during the WPIAL quarterfinals at Latrobe High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Latrobe won 34-27.
Latrobe's Jake Willochell grabs a hold of Kiski's Vaughn Curcio during the WPIAL quarterfinals at Latrobe High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Latrobe won 34-27.
Burrell hoists Robert Hickman as the team celebrates their ninth AA WPIAL championship in a row by defeating McGuffey 38-25 on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 at Canon-McMillan.
South Fayette's Colin Dunn enters the mat for his 106-pound match against McGuffey of the AA WPIAL semifinal on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 at Canon-McMillan. McGuffey won 33-28 to advance to the championship.
Hempfield diver Tate Yawitz dives in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association championship on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at Derry High School.
Hempfield diver Zach Kindt dives in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association championship on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at Derry High School.
John Sphon, CEO of MedCare Equipment Co., a durable medical equipment supply company owned by Excela Health and several other hospital systems in Western Pennsylvania, stands for a portrait on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.
Spicy Italian neapolitan wood fired pizza is photographed on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at Tapped Brick Oven and Pour House in Greensburg. The dish includes hot peppers, sausage, ricotta, meatballs and tomato sauce for $14. Tapped Brick Oven and Pour House, co-owned by Eric Jones and his wife Julie, opened Jan. 5, 2015.
Brick Oven Chicken is photographed on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at Tapped Brick Oven and Pour House in Greensburg. The dish includes Romano buttered chicken, sausage, mushrooms, white wine tomato sauce, shredded cheese and a potato croquette for $13. Tapped Brick Oven and Pour House, co-owned by Eric Jones and his wife Julie, opened Jan. 5, 2015.
Co-owner Eric Jones poses for a portrait at his and his wife's new restaurant Tapped Brick Oven and Pour House in Greensburg on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015. The restaurant opened Jan. 5, 2015.
Jessica Clawson, 3, of Irwin, touches a yet-to-be carved ice block by DiMartino Ice Co. in Jeannette during the Ligonier Ice Festival on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.
Gene Jackson (left) of Level Green, 72, and Ray Hunsberger of Wilkins Township, 73, roll their golf carts around a snowy green on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 at Meadowink Golf Course in Murrysville. Jackson, Hunsberger and Bill Jones of Delmont, 72, (not pictured) are Air Force veterans.
Deb Tatarka of Greensburg grasps her scarf as she walks past a butterfly mural while temperatures hover in the teens along Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg on Jan. 8, 2015.