Best of DyeStat: Nepo's favorite photos of 2017

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The year is not yet over and there are more than 44,000 photos in our files for 2017. 

So first, let me just say thanks to a few of the photographers who contributed mightily to the effort of showing what went on in events all over the United States, and abroad, in the past 12 months. To Kim Spir, Phil Yearian, Laura Duffy, Jean Thompson, Phil Ponder, Murray Schukar, Carol Chen, Chuck Aragon, Parker West, Phil Johnson, Walter Pinion, Bert Richardson, Ian Tsang -- thank you! And to Kirby Lee of Image of Sport, thanks to you as well. 

John Nepolitan has been a cornerstone of DyeStat coverage for about 10 years now and his willingness to cover meets throughout the New York, New Jersey -- and many other places -- helps prop up our entire organization. 

Here are Nepo's top picks from his own 2017 portfolio. (Look for a selection of Chuck Utash's photos tomorrow). 

If ever an image captured the sentiment and feeling at a track event, it was this one. On a wet night on Long Island, with the track community grieving over the death of David Torrence, it was Chris O'Hare who pointed to the sky as he crossed the finish line first in the HOKA ONE ONE Long Island Mile. 

Nepo: Maybe the performance of the year: The point where the World Championships steeple was decided.

Nepo: Of all the pics I took of Sydney McLaughlin over the year this is the one I liked the most since it shows what a pro she already is.

Nepo: The Penn Relays USA vs The World 4x100 – Jamacia had a little trouble with the final hand off but still came away with the win.

Nepo: East Orange NJ reacts to setting a new national record in the shuttle hurdles at New Balance Nationals Indoor.

Hunter Woodhall at the Brooks PR Meet. 

Nepo: Sometimes simple is better.  NYNJ TC wanted to get in one last tune up race before USATF so they put on a simple meet (about one hour long), free for people to come watch at Franklin Field. The 800 saw three runners who would be running the 1,500 meters final at the World Champs in London, with Chris O Hare (UK) getting the win.

Nepo: Galen Rupp in one of his final tune-ups before his win at the Chicago Marathon, taking the victory at the USATF 20K in New Haven on Labor Day.

Foot Locker champions selfie with Claudia Lane and Dylan Jacobs.

Two national high school record holders share a fun moment -- Trey Cunningham and Tara Davis.

Mondo Duplantis reacts to his record clearance of 19-1 at New Balance Nationals Indoor in New York.

Nepo: Edinburgh XC is much different than cross country in the U.S. Massive crowds, live national TV and natural hazards.

Nepo: Of course the walk is not a big event in the USA, but it is huge in other parts of the world. The World Championships had all walks in one morning on a course that ran in front of Buckingham Palace. Tom Bosworth (UK) had finished sixth in Rio and is a major star in England and with his Youtube series has increased the profile of the event (the IAAF even added a walk event at a DL meet – and Bosworth set the 1-mile world record at it). After leading a major portion of the first half of the 20k, Bosworth was DQ’d. He had put so much into the event and wanted to do so well for the home crowd it crushed him to fail.  

The thrill of victory for the Loudoun Valley VA (Purcellville) boys at Nike Cross Nationals.