Hot soft light » sports http://www.hotsoftlight.com Rob Hart Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:39:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 track + field http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/906/track-field/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/906/track-field/#comments Sun, 22 May 2011 17:47:20 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=906 28 hours, 3740 clicks.

Covering the IHSA Girls Track & Field for seven daily papers and fifty-some weekly papers is like working in a really fun/sweaty photo factory. The Sun-Times had myself and two freelancers, who all kinda knew various parts of Chicagoland covering it like a dysfunctional family. “So, St. Charles North is covered by Aurora? Shit, I gotta go shoot that kid.” Then you sprint across the field, and from 50 yards away the girl jumps, misses and is done for the day. “Balls!”

There’s not much time to shoot for yourself when you have to file 150 photos over two days, but I managed to find one image that is the way I see. I was just in love with all the cool flags and markers the pole vaulters used to designate their positions.

Most of the day I was shooting next to Henny Youngman Rick West of the Daily Herald (gallery here) and my homies from VIP.

5/21/11 Charleston,IL The leg of state champion Taylor Kirby (Sr.), Normal (Community West) in 3A pole vault at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Kenwood's Maiya Smith reacts after being disqualified for a false start in the Class 2A 4x400-Meter Relay at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Palatine High School's Sarah McIntosh reacts after winning the Class 3A 1600-Meter Run at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Rich South's DeAsia Garrett wins the Class 2A 4x400-Meter Relay at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Rich South's DeAsia Garrett wins the Class 2A 4x400-Meter Relay at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Naperville North's Hope Turner in the Class 3A Pole Vault at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media 5/21/11 Charleston,IL Lake Forest High School's Carolina Carmichael in the Class 3A Pole Vault at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Naperville North's Hope Turner in the Class 3A Pole Vault at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media 5/21/11 Charleston,IL Lake Forest High School's Carolina Carmichael in the Class 3A Pole Vault at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Whitney Young's Elisabeth Forte in the Class 3A Long Jump at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Whitney Young's Elisabeth Forte in the Class 3A Long Jump at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Burlington Central's Katie Trupp in theClass 2A High Jump in at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

5/21/11 Charleston,IL Burlington Central's Katie Trupp in theClass 2A High Jump in at the 2011 IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on May 21, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/906/track-field/feed/ 2 America runs on Dunkin’ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/892/america-runs-dunkin/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/892/america-runs-dunkin/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:08:19 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=892 My last sports assignment before a week-long vacation was pretty cool. In the final 34.1 seconds Lyons Township converted two Curie turnovers into five points – a three-pointer by Eric Powers and a driving layup by Nick Burt with just over three seconds left (photo below) – to rally from a 64-61 deficit and defeat the Condors 66-64 in the Class 4A sectional semi-final.

3/9/11 Summit,IL Curie's Cliff Alexander (12) dunks the ball over Lyons Township's Henry Wilson (35) go for a rebound in the IHSA 4A sectional semi-final at Argo High School in Summit on March 9, 2011. Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

3/9/11 Summit,IL Lyons Township's Nick Burt (25) makes a basket with 1.6 seconds left against Curie in the IHSA 4A sectional semi-final at Argo High School in Summit on March 9, 2011. The Lions won 66-64 and advance to play Simeon in the sectional final on Friday. Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

3/9/11 Summit,IL Lyons Township's Spencer Mahoney (20) takes a charge from Curie's Devin Foster (5) and LT's Nick Burt tries for the block in the IHSA 4A sectional semi-final at Argo High School in Summit on March 9, 2011. Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

3/9/11 Summit,IL Lyons Township's Spencer Mahoney (20) takes a charge from Curie's Devin Foster (5) and LT's Nick Burt tries for the block in the IHSA 4A sectional semi-final at Argo High School in Summit on March 9, 2011. Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/892/america-runs-dunkin/feed/ 0 Hockey Night in Bensenville http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/881/hockey-night-bensenville/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/881/hockey-night-bensenville/#comments Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:49:55 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=881 The Blackhawk Cup is Illinois’ high school hockey tournament that holds their final game at the United Center. As a hockey player, and fan, I’ll shoot hockey at any level. So when I was assigned to shoot the second round, well I was super excited. Fenwick against Hinsdale Central and Loyola Gold versus Marist. Good times.

2/28/11 Bensenville,IL Fenwick's Matthew Cook (6) jumps over the stick of Hinsdale Central's Kevin Harris (86) for a short-handed breakaway in the second round of the Blackhawk Cup at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville on Feb. 28, 2011. The Friars won 5-1. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/28/11 Bensenville,IL Marist's Leo Dignan (26) watches the puck float into the goal as Loyola Gold's goalie Mcintyre Skarzynski (30) lays on the ice in the second round of the Blackhawk Cup at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville on Feb. 28, 2011. The Ramblers beat the Red Hawks 8-3 and advance to play Glenbrook North on Saturday. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media 2/28/11 Bensenville,IL Loyola Gold's Eric Hagman (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against Marist in the second round of the Blackhawk Cup at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville on Feb. 28, 2011. The Ramblers beat the Red Hawks 8-3 and advance to play Glenbrook North on Saturday. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/28/11 Bensenville,IL Fenwick's Brendan Conroy (52) knocks Hinsdale Central's Hunter Coleman (11) off the puck in the second round of the Blackhawk Cup at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville on Feb. 28, 2011.| Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/28/11 Bensenville,IL Loyola Gold's Nicholas Altman (22) checks Marist's Jeremy Ballard (8) into the boards in the second round of the Blackhawk Cup at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville on Feb. 28, 2011. The Ramblers beat the Red Hawks 8-3 and advance to play Glenbrook North on Saturday. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media 2/28/11 Bensenville,IL Fenwick's Nicholas Giannotti (21) knocks Hinsdale Central's Salvatore Fratto (96) face first into the boards in the second round of the Blackhawk Cup at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville on Feb. 28, 2011.| Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/881/hockey-night-bensenville/feed/ 1 Swimming Celebrations http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/870/swimmingcelebrations/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/870/swimmingcelebrations/#comments Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:29:58 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=870

2/25/11 Winnetka,IL Libertyville's Ben Snader, Naperville Central's Jeff Depew, Peoria Richwood's Matt Elliott , Elliott again, Niles West's Konner Scott, St. Charles North's Andrew Preusse all celebrate their wins at the IHSA boys swimming and diving preliminary at New Trier in Winnetka on Feb. 25, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/870/swimmingcelebrations/feed/ 0 The Rose and the King http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/858/roseking/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/858/roseking/#comments Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:42:18 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=858 In a game that featured MVP caliber players Derrick Rose, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James it was Luol Deng that delivered a dagger to the Heat tonight. It was Deng’s three-pointer gave the Bulls the lead with 16 seconds to play and LeBron was taking his talents back to South Beach tonight.

2/24/11 Chicago,IL Joakim Noah (13) of the Chicago Bulls and LeBron James (6) dunks against the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media 2/24/11 Chicago,IL LeBron James (6) of the Miami Heat dunks the ball versus the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2011. The Bulls won 93-89 over the Heat. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/24/11 Chicago,IL Kyle Korver (26) of the Chicago Bulls wrestles for the ball with Dwyane Wade (3) of the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2011. The Bulls won 93-89 over the Heat. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/24/11 Chicago,IL Luol Deng (9) of the Chicago Bulls makes a leaping basket after beating LeBron James (6) of the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2011. The Bulls won 93-89 over the Heat. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media 2/24/11 Chicago,IL Derrick Rose (1) of the Chicago Bulls reacts after making a basket to put the Bulls up in the 4th quarter against the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2011. The Bulls won 93-89 over the Heat. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

Lebron James at the United Center

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/858/roseking/feed/ 2 3 Ring Cicrus http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/834/3-ring-cicrus/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/834/3-ring-cicrus/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:44:04 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=834 Over two days, 29.5 hours, 6,470 clicks, 31.89 gigs, 341 miles, all for 106 photos uploaded to the Sun-Times. Throw in a few more than a few $2 tall-boys, two midnight pizzas, and you got IHSA Wrestling State Finals by the numbers. My fellow S-T shooter, Michael R. Schmidt and I had a blast, and got most of the 84 kids that were requested of us to photograph for all the Sun-Times papers.

I’m not such a big fan of wrestling, but there are always some great faces.

2/19/11 Champaign,IL Fenwick's coaches Jerry, right, and Chris Ruffino watch Matt Garelli wrestles Jordan Northrup of Macheseny Park in the Class 3A 103-pound lb. championship at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media 2/19/11 Champaign,IL Fenwick's Matt Garelli jumps into the arms of his coach Jerry Ruffino after beating Jordan Northrup of Macheseny Park in the Class 3A 103-pound lb. championship at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/19/11 Champaign,IL Reed-Custer's Trent Lyons wrestles Jake Snow of Newman Central Catholic in the Class 1A 112-pound lb. championship at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

Derek Elmore of Harlem reacts after beating Mech Spraggins, of Bellville West, in the IHSA class 3A 119-lb class.

2/19/11 Champaign,IL Stevenson's head coach Shane Cook lifts up his assistant coach Josh Hjorth after their wrestler Danny Sabatello beat Eddie Klimara of Providence Catholic in the Class 3A 125-pound lb. championship at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/19/11 Champaign,IL Montini's Stephen Robertson, right, lays on the mat after being beat by Joey Kielbasa of Crystal Lake Central in the Class 2A 152-pound lb. championship at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

2/19/11 Champaign,IL Glenbard North's Joey Gosinski celebrates after beating Drew Bates of Lyons Township in the Class 3A 130-pound lb. championship at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/834/3-ring-cicrus/feed/ 0 the underdog http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/822/underdog/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/822/underdog/#comments Sat, 19 Feb 2011 08:18:05 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=822 Granite City’s Jake Gregerson nearly won a state championship as a freshman. He was 46-2 coming into today’s state quarterfinal as a senior. One of the best wrestlers in the state.

I was photographing the mat across from this match, just an ordinary quarterfinal. With seconds remaining in the match Mundelein’s Payton Cruz pinned Gergerson, who was regarded as a favorite to win the 135-pound class. In an instant the entire arena became focused on this one match. One of six going simultaneously. Head coach Tom Buenik, who was himself a state champion twenty years ago and assistant coach Frank Torres went crazy. The entire arena erupted for Cruz. It was worth the now 18-hour day. More fun tomorrow.

2/18/11 Champaign,IL Mundelein's head coach Tom Buenik, center, and assistant coach Frank Torres leap for joy as after their wrestler Payton Cruz pins Granite City's Jake Gregerson in the final seconds of the second period in the Class 3A 135-pound lb. weight class quarterfinal bout at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Feb. 18, 2011. Gregerson (46-2) was a top wrestler in the state. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

Here’s the entire sequence.

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/822/underdog/feed/ 3 My friday nights http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/802/mainesouth/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/802/mainesouth/#comments Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:30:28 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=802 I’m tellin’ ya it was nice to be inside. In the past two days as I’ve shot assignments outside in single digit temps. One where the subject showed up almost an hour late. Sitting down in my Crazy Creek canoe chair with two cameras and some action happening was like a vacation.

2/11/11 Park Ridge,IL Waukegan's Dennocchio Pierce (34) fights Maine South's Casey Bruce (22) for a loose ball in Park Ridge on Feb. 11, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media


2/11/11 Park Ridge,IL Waukegan's Dennocchio Pierce (34) dunks the ball on a fast break versus Maine South in Park Ridge on Feb. 11, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media


2/11/11 Park Ridge,IL Maine South's Casey Bruce (22) out jumps Waukegan's Kyle Williams (32) for the ball in Park Ridge on Feb. 11, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media 2/11/11 Park Ridge,IL Maine South's Tony Albano (3) drives for a layup to be rejected and fouled by Waukegan's Devonte Taylor (21) in Park Ridge on Feb. 11, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/802/mainesouth/feed/ 0 Boozer and da Bulls http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/758/boozer-da-bulls/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/758/boozer-da-bulls/#comments Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:33:00 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=758 I’ve never aspired to photograph professional sports. I’m not a huge fan, and I’d rather spend time with people that aren’t millionaires. Your access is much better with poor people. But oh, the free popcorn! There’s a lot of downtime, but it’s kinda addicting.

The first time I photographed Derrick Rose was 2007. Rose lead Simeon to a Super-Sectional victory over St. Joseph. The St. Joe’s team included NBA’er Evan Turner and ILL’s Demetri McCamey. Rose was always super friendly. His mother loved to talk about her son. I need to find those photos.

1/22/11 Chicago,IL Bulls forward Carlos Boozer screams as he slam dunks the ball in the second half of of Chicago's 92-79 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 22, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media
1/22/11 Chicago,IL Taj Gibson (left) and Omer Asik knock the ball from Cleveland's Ryan Hollins in the first quarter versus the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 22, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media
1/22/11 Chicago,IL Bulls guard Derrick Rose has the ball knocked away by Cleveland's Manny Harris while going to the basket late in the fourth quarter of Chicago's 92-79 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 22, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

1/22/11 Chicago,IL Bulls forward Kurt Thomas is knocked backwards by Cleveland's Daniel Gibson in the first quarter at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 22, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun Times Media

]]> http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2011/758/boozer-da-bulls/feed/ 0 Friday Nightlights http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2010/676/friday-nightlights/ http://www.hotsoftlight.com/2010/676/friday-nightlights/#comments Sat, 11 Sep 2010 06:02:10 +0000 Rob Hart http://www.hotsoftlight.com/?p=676 Tonight at Oak Park-River Forest it was father versus son. The coach versus the quarterback. A family divided, but brought together by football.

Jim Nudera, the Oak Park head coach faced his son, Jimmy, the York quarterback (6). Linda Nudera, wife/mother, wore a half-and-half jersey and flipped the coin. There are three Nudera’s on the OPRF staff and their oldest daughter is a York cheerleader.

After Jimmy lead his team to a 36-15 victory his father just gave him a quick hug and said, “I’m proud of you son.” It was a cool moment that should have been a better photo, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen.

Sun-Times story here, and more photos here.


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