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Celebration and tears from the field: See Herald-Leader’s best sports pictures of 2021

By Herald-Leader staff report

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Citrus Bowl preview: Kentucky vs. Iowa

The University of Kentucky football team concludes its 2021 season Saturday against Big Ten West Division champion Iowa in the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Click below to view all the stories previewing the game that have been published on Kentucky.com.

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As we say goodbye to 2021, we take a look back at how the Herald-Leader staff photographers captured sporting events around the Bluegrass in the past year.

Besides the images from local high schools, University of Kentucky games and other athletic events below, more sports photographs are included in the year in review photo slideshow above.

Remember to follow @kentuckycom on Instagram to see the latest from our visual journalists as they document life in Kentucky and click here to see our best news and feature images from the past year.

If you wish to buy a reprint of any image, email Brian Simms at bsimms@herald-leader.com

Kentucky Wildcats punter Colin Goodfellow (94) glances into the crowd in the fourth quarter during a game against the LSU Tigers at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Kentucky beat LSU 42-21.
Kentucky Wildcats punter Colin Goodfellow (94) glances into the crowd in the fourth quarter during a game against the LSU Tigers at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Kentucky beat LSU 42-21. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Madison Central’s Wyatt Stewart sets a state record by clearing 16-1 in the pole vault at the KHSAA Class 3A state track and field championships at the University of Kentucky track complex in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, June 12, 2021.
Madison Central’s Wyatt Stewart sets a state record by clearing 16-1 in the pole vault at the KHSAA Class 3A state track and field championships at the University of Kentucky track complex in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Kentucky Wildcat football fans storm the field after UK beat Florida 20-13 Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Kroger Field. It was first time since 1986 the Wildcats beat the Gators in Lexington.
Kentucky Wildcat football fans storm the field after UK beat Florida 20-13 Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at Kroger Field. It was first time since 1986 the Wildcats beat the Gators in Lexington. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Students rush onto the field to celebrate after the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators after defeating the Florida Gators during the game at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Students rush onto the field to celebrate after the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators after defeating the Florida Gators during the game at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, October 2, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
Lexington Christian’s Johnny Drake (11) is overcome with emotion late in the fourth quarter during the 2021 UK Orthopaedics Class 2A State Football Finals against Beechwood at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Beechwood beat Lexington Christian 23-21.
Lexington Christian’s Johnny Drake (11) is overcome with emotion late in the fourth quarter during the 2021 UK Orthopaedics Class 2A State Football Finals against Beechwood at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Beechwood beat Lexington Christian 23-21. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Hancock County’s Alex Kratzer shades herself with an umbrella between her events during the KHSAA Class 1A State Track Championship Meet at the University of Kentucky track complex in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Hancock County’s Alex Kratzer shades herself with an umbrella between her events during the KHSAA Class 1A State Track Championship Meet at the University of Kentucky track complex in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, June 10, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
Sacred Heart’s head coach Donna Moir celebrates with her players after Sacred Heart defeated Anderson County during a semifinal game at the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Sacred Heart’s head coach Donna Moir celebrates with her players after Sacred Heart defeated Anderson County during a semifinal game at the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Referee Jordan St. Clair watches as Laderemey Fielder goes up to block Woodrow Friend during a Friday, July 9, 2021 beach volleyball league match at Marikka’s Restaurant & Bier Stube in Lexington.
Referee Jordan St. Clair watches as Laderemey Fielder goes up to block Woodrow Friend during a Friday, July 9, 2021 beach volleyball league match at Marikka’s Restaurant & Bier Stube in Lexington. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Kentucky Wildcats infielder Zeke Lewis (4) steals second base avoiding a tag from Eastern Kentucky Colonels Daniel Harris (1) at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington Ky., Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
Kentucky Wildcats infielder Zeke Lewis (4) steals second base avoiding a tag from Eastern Kentucky Colonels Daniel Harris (1) at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington Ky., Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Silas Walker Lexington Herald-Leader
Lexington Catholic’s Justin Gal (18) headers the ball past Great Crossing’s Paul Redmon (4) and Great Crossing’s Reagan Disney (3) during the 11th Region semifinal at Lexington Christian in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Lexington Catholic beat Great Crossing 7-0.
Lexington Catholic’s Justin Gal (18) headers the ball past Great Crossing’s Paul Redmon (4) and Great Crossing’s Reagan Disney (3) during the 11th Region semifinal at Lexington Christian in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Lexington Catholic beat Great Crossing 7-0. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Medina Spirit (8) with John R. Velazquez up, leads heading into the final stretch of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 1, 2021. Medina Spirit and Velazquez went on to win the race.
Medina Spirit (8) with John R. Velazquez up, leads heading into the final stretch of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 1, 2021. Medina Spirit and Velazquez went on to win the race. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) leaps for a touchdown over Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) during a game at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.
Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) leaps for a touchdown over Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) during a game at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) leaps towards the endzone for a second quarter score during a game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.
Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) leaps towards the endzone for a second quarter score during a game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Henderson County’s Alexa Mullins (5) and Henderson County’s Kyra Dixon (25) celebrates after the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 quarterfinals against Russell at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Friday, April 9, 2021. Henderson County beat Russell 64-53.
Henderson County’s Alexa Mullins (5) and Henderson County’s Kyra Dixon (25) celebrates after the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet 16 quarterfinals against Russell at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Friday, April 9, 2021. Henderson County beat Russell 64-53. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Paducah Tilghman’s Malachi Rider (7) scores a touchdown during the 2021 UK Orthopaedics State Football Finals Class 3A championship game against Belfry at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.
Paducah Tilghman’s Malachi Rider (7) scores a touchdown during the 2021 UK Orthopaedics State Football Finals Class 3A championship game against Belfry at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The moon rises over Paul Laurence Dunbar’s JT Seltsam (7) during a game against Breathitt County at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Ky., Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Paul Laurence Dunbar beat Breathitt County 69-28.
The moon rises over Paul Laurence Dunbar’s JT Seltsam (7) during a game against Breathitt County at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Ky., Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Paul Laurence Dunbar beat Breathitt County 69-28. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Louisville Trinity celebrates after winning the KHSAA State Baseball Tournament championship against McCracken County at Lexington Legends Ballpark on Saturday night. The Shamrocks prevailed 10-0 in five innings.
Louisville Trinity celebrates after winning the KHSAA State Baseball Tournament championship against McCracken County at Lexington Legends Ballpark on Saturday night. The Shamrocks prevailed 10-0 in five innings. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Fireworks go off from the endzone roof as Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) runs into the endzone for a second half touchdown during a football game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Missouri Tigers Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky.
Fireworks go off from the endzone roof as Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) runs into the endzone for a second half touchdown during a football game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Missouri Tigers Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Frederick Douglass Broncos Leon Cooper (58) takes in the 38-26 loss to the South Warren Spartans during the 5A state football championship at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, December 5, 2021.
Frederick Douglass Broncos Leon Cooper (58) takes in the 38-26 loss to the South Warren Spartans during the 5A state football championship at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, December 5, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
Lafayette Generals head coach Chris Langston is doused with water from a cooler after his team defeated Madison Central 8-1 during the KHSAA region finals at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Ky., Monday, June 7, 2021.
Lafayette Generals head coach Chris Langston is doused with water from a cooler after his team defeated Madison Central 8-1 during the KHSAA region finals at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Ky., Monday, June 7, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com

This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 6:00 AM.

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Citrus Bowl preview: Kentucky vs. Iowa

The University of Kentucky football team concludes its 2021 season Saturday against Big Ten West Division champion Iowa in the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Click below to view all the stories previewing the game that have been published on Kentucky.com.

Back to Story