Here are the Journal's best sports photos of 2024

Albuquerque Academy’s Grace Erinle wins first place in the Class 4A girls 100 meter dash during the Class 4A-5A NMAA State Track & Field Championship finals at the UNM Track & Field Complex in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Jesse Petri, from Texas, launches off “Punchy Pete” during the PBR Albuquerque Ty Murray Invitational "Unleash the Beast" at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, March 22, 2024. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)

Abraham " Hammer" Perez gets punched by Fernando "El Leoncito" Diaz during the Legacy Promotions pro boxing card at Expo New Mexico’s Creative Arts Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Perez won the World Boxing Council Silver Youth flyweight title.

UNM running back Javen Jacobs (21) leaps over Montana State’s Caden Dowler (5) during the University of New Mexico Lobos home football game against Montana State at University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Competitors prepare to take the stage during the NPC New Mexico State Open at the Historic Lobo Theater in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Men and women competed in bodybuilding, bikini, physique, figure, wellness, classic physique, and fitness, rivaling for a first-place trophy and a National Qualification.

Jenny Savage sticks her tongue out at Taylor Starling as they face-off during Friday’s weigh in ahead of the BKFC Fight Night Prospects at Dave & Buster's in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. The BKFC Fight Night Prospects on Saturday at Revel.

United midfielder Zico Bailey (19) heads the ball as Memphis midfielder Leston Paul (23) closes in during New Mexico United’s home soccer game against Memphis 901 FC at Rio Grande Credit Union Field in Albuquerque, N.M, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

Noah Lyles celebrates after winning first place in the Nike Men's 60m finals event during the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque N.M., on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. Lyles finished with a time of 6.43, beating Christian Coleman who finished in second place with a time of 6.44.

UNM sophomore Ibrahima Sacko (7) gains possession of the ball while New Mexico State’s Nate Tshimanga (19) dodges his kick during the game against the UNM Lobos and New Mexico State Aggies at the Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. The Aggies won 89-83.

Albuquerque Academy sophomore Cambria Tero (12) is celebrated with freshman Amelia Barnes (10), freshman Emma Michael (6), and junior Isabella Barnes (17) after scoring a goal during Class 4A girl’s semifinals state soccer game against Los Alamos at Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. The goal was retracted after a referee made the call that Academy was offsides. Albuquerque Academy won 2-0, advancing to the state championship finals.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-11 — From left, Louis Trujillo, Marc Santiago, Carlos Candelaria and Daniel Candelaria sing the UNM Fight song before the start of the Lobos's game against Fresno State, in Albuquerque, Saturday, September 21, 2024. They are all UNM alumni.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-10 — Dennis Harroun, from Albuquerque, snowboards down Fall Line, a black diamond run at Ski Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The ski area in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains had got 118 inches of natural snow and a 50 inch base.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-09 — University of New Mexico Lobos' Jaelen House gestures after scoring a basket during the second half of their game against San Diego State, at the Pit in Albuquerque, Saturday, January 13, 2024.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-08 — Gabriel Palomino, from Hobbs, won the 1 meter diving state championship, held at Albuquerque Academy, Saturday, February 24, 2024.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-07 — Andrew Burlingame, left, and other fans of New Mexico United, celebrate after Greg Hurst scored the first goal against Pittsbourgh Riverhounds during the first half of their season opener, in Albuquerque, Saturday, March 9, 2024.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-06 — Nicholas Gavi, left, and Chile Reano react as the Clemson Tigers start to roll over the University of New Mexico Lobos during the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The game was being played in Memphis Tn., but around 140 Lobos fans were viewing the game at a watch party on Civic Plaza, Friday, March 22, 2024.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-05 — Shayla Quintana, left, and Emilie Duvall, along with other members of the dance team for Hope Christian High School react to winning the 1-4A championship in the State Spirt Championship dance competition at the Pit on April 5.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-04 — UNM's head coach Bronco Mendenhall tries to rally his players during their game Fresno State, in Albuquerque, Saturday, September 21, 2024.

BESTOFSPORTS-EM-01 — St. Michael's High School's Reed Bass, left, and Kamal Stith celebrate their win over Dexter for the state 3A championship, in Santa Fe, Saturday, November 30, 2024. St. Mike's won back-to-back championships by beating Dexter 28-26.

UNM Lobos forward Paris Lauro (10) knocks the ball out of South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs guard Shauna Reed (14) hands at The Pit on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.

University of New Mexico Guard Jaelen House (10) falls to the ground with the ball in his hands while Air Force players attempt to take it from him at The Pit Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.

Party Animal Dustin Baber gets a home run on his first swing during the game against the Savana Bananas at Isotopes Stadium on Sunday, April. 21, 2024

United fan Andrew Burlingame yells in excitement after United scoring a goal during the game against Birmingham Legion FC at Isotopes park on Saturday, July 20.

Mia,10, from Arroyo Del Oso Elementary School catches a baseball that Isotopes worker Mike Jojola found in the stands during the School Day Matinee at Isotopes Park on Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024

The University of New Mexico Lobos run onto the field before the game against the Air Force Falcons at University Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024

Nicholls Colonels player Tru Washington takes a hard fall during the game against the Lobos at The Pit on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

Albuquerque native Angelo Leo hits Luis Alberto Lopez with a left hook at Tingley Colosseum on Saturday, Aug 10

United fanJacob Spenceralso Known as Sea Monkey gets water poured on him by Kegan Revilla in celebration of united making a goal during the game against El Paso at the Isotopes stadium on Saturday, Apr. 06, 2024

Members of the Albuquerque Isotopes prepare for their team photo during media day at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

La Cueva celebrates their win over Hobbs during the Albuquerque Metro Basketball Championships semifinals game at Highland High School in Albuquerque on Friday, Jan.12, 2023.

Hobbs’ Sammy Baeza breaks up a pass from Eldorado quarterback Giovanni Evans during the Class 6A quarterfinal football game at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

Khalil Jones, second from right, works out with his father and friends at the PAL gym in Albuquerque on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The city of Albuquerque has terminated its decade-long partnership with the New Mexico Sheriffs and Police Athletic League and has evicted PAL from the city-owned Northeast Heights building that has housed it since 2016.

Highland celebrates their win after beating Valley in overtime during the boys Class 4A finals game at the Pit on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Stunned Valley fans react as Highland goes on to win the boys Class 4A finals game at the Pit on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Magdalena react after losing to Fort Sumner/House during the boys Class 1A finals game at the Pit on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

UNM Lobos’ Kayde Dotson attempts a shot against the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Islanders during their game at The Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Navajo Prep celebrates after defeating Tohatchi during the girls Class 3A finals game at the Pit on Friday, March 15, 2024.

University of New Mexico Lobos’ Mackenzie Curtis celebrates a 3-pointer with her teammates during a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Pit in Albuquerque on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024/

Jon Austria

Jon Austria Jon Austria Jon Austria Visuals editor

Jessica Baca

Jessica Baca Jessica Baca Jessica Baca Photographer

Eddie Moore

Eddie Moore Eddie Moore Eddie Moore Photographer

Chancey Bush

Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Photographer

Published December 31, 2024 - 12:38 p.m. Modified December 31, 2024 - 2:01 p.m.

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