Spring Fling

This past week I spent several days photographing the annual TSSAA Spring Fling high school state sports championships in Murfreesboro, TN. This is the first year the event was covered as a collaboration among USA-Today Network Tennessee photographers and it was a unique opportunity to shoot for The Tennessean and other Gannett properties across the state.

I shot a fair share of softball but also a baseball game and two soccer matches. The week began with rainy weather but on Friday the sun finally snuck out from behind the gloomy clouds and blessed me with some good light.

Enjoy a selection of photos below!

Christian Academy Knoxville’s Conner Quinn (10) and Christian Academy Knoxville’s Jaxon Willis (34) jump during a Division 1 Class AA baseball game between CAK and Lexington at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling state championships at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Thursday, May 25, 2017.

Christian Academy Knoxville’s Preston Burleson (16) pitches during a Division 1 Class AA baseball game between CAK and Lexington.

Christian Academy Knoxville’s Hudson Chastain (4) throws to first during a Division 1 Class AA baseball game between CAK and Lexington.

Gibbs’ Jade Mullins (25) puts on an eagle mascot head during a Division 1 Class AAA softball game between Coffee County and Gibbs at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling state championships at the Murfreesboro Sports Complex & McKnight Fields in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.

Gibbs’ Leah Sohm (3) tries for an out of Coffee County’s Katherine Rutledge (19) at second.

Coffee County’s Ashlynn Morton (2) tosses the ball to Coffee County’s Kasarah Scheller (25) during warm-ups.

Gibbs’ Leah Sohm (3) picks up a foul ball near third base during a Division 1 Class AAA softball game between Coffee County and Gibbs.

Greenville’s Devin Elyze-Vital (25) heads a ball over Christian Presbyterian Academy’s Owen Keck (6) during a class A-AA soccer game between Christ Presbyterian Academy and Greenville at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling state championships at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

Fans watch the game during a class A-AA soccer game between Christ Presbyterian Academy and Greenville.

Greenville’s Josh Sanchez (15) dribbles past Christian Presbyterian Academy’s Baker Avinger (17) and Christian Presbyterian Academy’s John Michael Ritchie (24).

Friendship Christian’s Brooke Eakes (1) does her hair during a Division II Class A softball game between King’s Academy and Friendship Christian.

A minion hangs in the TKA dugout during a Division II Class AA softball game between Kings Academy and Donelson Christian Academy.

A player picks up a softball during a Division II Class A softball game between King’s Academy and Friendship Christian at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling.

Friendship Christian’s Mary Alexander (18) reacts after failing to out a run during a Division II Class A softball game between King’s Academy and Friendship Christian.

Webb’s Jacob Cook (10) runs holding his right shoe after it came off during a Division II soccer game between Webb and Lausanne.

Christian Presbyterian Academy’s Baker Avinger (17) is congratulated by Christian Presbyterian Academy’s Will Warren (23) after scoring a goal during a class A-AA soccer game between Christ Presbyterian Academy and Greenville.

A man walks along during a class A-AA soccer game between Christ Presbyterian Academy and Greenville.

A Scottsdale player warms up as storm clouds loom overhead.

Visitors hide from the rain under an awning at the Murfreesboro Sports Complex & McKnight Fields in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

TKA huddles during a Division II Class AA softball game between Kings Academy and Donelson Christian Academy.

King’s Academy’s Taylor Weekly (5) throws home during a Division II Class AA softball game between Kings Academy and Donelson Christian Academy.

King’s Academy’s Katlyn Norris (12) and King’s Academy’s Cayden Baker (10) high-five as King’s Academy’s Taylor Weekly (5) watches during a Division II Class AA softball game between Kings Academy and Donelson Christian Academy.

Ty Turner, 12, cheers on Greenbrier during a Division 1 Class AAA softball game between Coffee County and Gibbs at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling.

A kid climbs a fence during a class A-AA soccer game between Christ Presbyterian Academy and Greenville.

A plane lands over a softball field during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball game between Gibbs and Powell.

Kids play on the playgound during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball game between Gibbs and Powell at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling.

Kids hang out in their hammocks during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball game between Gibbs and Powell at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling state championships.

Gibbs fan Brady Hughes, 10, smiles after Gibbs defeated Powell 7-5 during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball final match game between Gibbs and Powell.

Gibbs huddles during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball game between Gibbs and Powell at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling state championships.

Powell’s Kiley Longmire (6) catches a hit during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball final match game between Gibbs and Powell.

Gibbs celebrates after Gibbs’ Kayley Kern (33) runs a home run during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball game between Gibbs and Powell.

Gibbs’ Sierra Hucklebee (26) celebrates after defeating Powell 6-2 during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball game between Gibbs and Powell.

King’s Academy’s Taylor Weekly (7) hugs King’s Academy’s Kaylan Cole (2) after defeating Friendship Christian 14-3 during a Division II Class A softball game between King’s Academy and Friendship Christian.

A man in a pig costume congratulates CAK for their win during a Division 1 Class AA baseball game between CAK and Lexington.

Christian Academy Knoxville’s Hudson Chastain (4) and Christian Academy Knoxville’s Zane Keener (22) hug in celebration after defeating Lexington.

Gibbs’ Sierra Hucklebee (26) catches a ground ball during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball final match game between Gibbs and Powell.

Gibbs players storm the field after defeating Powell 7-5 during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball final match game between Gibbs and Powell.

Gibbs players celebrate their the trophy after defeating Powell 7-5 during a Divsion 1 Class AAA softball final match game between Gibbs and Powell.

King’s Academy’s Hayden Jenkins (00), center, celebrates with King’s Academy’s Kaylan Cole (2) and King’s Academy’s Webber Madison (58) and King’s Academy’s Rachel Baker (20) after defeating Friendship Christian 14-3 during a Division II Class A softball game between King’s Academy and Friendship Christian.

Kings fan Joshua Keller blows a horn during a Division II Class A softball game between King’s Academy and Friendship Christian at the 2017 TSSAA Spring Fling state championships.