2009 Wyoming Invite – Laramie, Wyoming

We had an opportunity to cover our first gymnastics meet of the year this past weekend when the Wyoming School of Gymnastics boys’ team hosted 3 other teams from Colorado and Wyoming for their 2009 Wyoming Invite here in Laramie. It wasn’t a large meet, but sometimes at these smaller events it can be a better environment for spectators. Parents and fans were able to be close up, right next to the action.

I think it is very interesting sometimes to hear the interaction between coaches and athletes at the events we cover. Dean McCollum, who is the Mountain Gymnastics Boys Program Director, would ask each of his gymnasts a simple question before they began each routine. He would ask, “Do you know what you want?” His athletes would try to visualize their upcoming performance. When each gymnast would finish, he would follow up by asking, “Is that what you wanted, is that what you saw in your head?” or “Was that you best ever, where would you rank it?”

I thought it was a great way to coach. Focus on every individual routine, and try to make each one your best ever. Here are some photos from the meet:

Metro Junior Wrestling League Districts – Laramie, Wyoming

We were very excited to have a chance to cover our first tournament of the year, the Metro Junior Wresting League District tournament this past weekend here in Laramie, Wyoming. The meet was held at the Laramie Plains Civic Center and was hosted by the Laramie Wrestling Club.

The Laramie Wrestling Club is a non-profit organization, ran by a group of hard working parents who donate countless hours of their time to ensure that the children in the club have an opportunity to wrestle. They did an amazing job, and hosted a successful tournament that had nearly 300 youth wrestlers competing.

A little background on the Laramie Plains Civic Center; in the early 1900’s it was a high school here in Laramie. The historic building is still in its original state, and every wall in the building is covered with different photos of Laramie from the early 1900’s. You will also find several team photos from the boys’ and girls’ high school sports teams from that era as well. Looking at the photos makes you feel as though you are in a museum. It was very interesting when an older gentleman attending the meet noticed himself in a team photo of the Rawlins State Championship wrestling team from 1957 on the wall above our booth. He told me the story of that team, how a small and rural 2A school beat every other team in the state. It was very similar to the movie ‘Hoosiers’, and a very cool moment for any sports fan.

Having said all of that, from a photography standpoint, the lighting conditions in the old building were like shooting in a dungeon. Although it was somewhat of a challenge for our photographers at this meet (Stephanie Osborne, Ardent Photography and Jim Craft, James Craft Photography), they delivered great action photos as always.

Thank you very much to the Laramie Wrestling Club for having us as part of your event. We look forward to working with you again in the future. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the meet:

BLOGGER?

My name is Rick Osborne, and along with my wife Stephanie, we own and operate Osborne Athletics. I am an avid sports fan, passionate about all sports, someone who has competed in sports my entire life. My wife Stephanie is an amazing professional photographer (www.ArdentPhotographyInc.com), passionate about documenting life's special moments. When we put our passions together, Osborne Athletics was created, a sports photography company that specializes in photographing youth sports leagues and youth sports tournaments throughout Wyoming and Colorado.

I was initially reluctant to create a blog for our company. Quite honestly, it felt self absorbed, somewhat narcissistic. I was wrong. We have been extremely fortunate to be involved with so many great sports stories throughout the past year. Stories of young athletes overcoming unbelievable odds and physical disabilities, young athletes returning to competition from severe injuries, young athletes that practice all year long for a one night performance, ONE NIGHT to be a star. The strength, determination, and dedication that we see from so many of these athletes is an inspiration. The adversity that many of the children overcome is amazing. I feel that these types of things need to be shared, these stories need to be told. I will use this blog to do just that.

Throughout the 2009 season, I will be documenting our year in youth sports photography. All of the tournaments and leagues we cover, the funny stories, those that are sad, inspirational...all of it. As I said, initially reluctant, I am now looking forward to it. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with my best friend doing what we both love. Thanks for reading...