Another high school sports season has come and gone for the Gaylord area.
It’s been four full years of covering the top high school athletes from Gaylord, St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston High Schools for me, watching a full class of freshmen grow into seniors and, now, alumni. Throughout that time, I’ve enjoyed chronicling those moments through articles, videos and, of course, photos.
Every year, I look back on the top photos from the previous fall, winter and spring, and now it’s time to look back on the 2025-26 top photos.
Each photo chosen captures a moment in time, whether an action shot or a reaction shot, that usually also holds significance for the team or the school being captured. So, take a look at our top sports photos from this year (in no particular order).
Gaylord football’s return to prominence was a big part of the larger story of the fall sports season, a 2025 campaign filled with memorable moments that was capped by an undefeated regular season. This shot, a celebration of a touchdown during Gaylord’s homecoming win over Alpena, captures one of those memorable moments.
2. Valor Game memories
Gaylord’s Valor Game has been a must-attend event for Otsorgo County sports fans and has provided some of the most memorable photos of the past four years. This shot of Mason Gentz looking at an American Flag hanging in the distance is a perfect encapsulation of what the day looks like from the sidelines.
3. Mazur family love
We chronicled the bond between the Class of 2026 and the family of Nick Mazur, a former Gaylord athlete who passed away back in 2022, but this photo says more than an article can.
4. Close to a catch
Gaylord St. Mary’s Cal Royce provided a top photo on a near top play, bobbling this ball above an Onaway defender’s head before it fell to the grass.
5. Honoring a Gaylord legend
One of the most memorable nights of the winter season was kicked off by the Gaylord High School court dedication for the newly renamed Tom Johnson Court.
6. JoBurg volleyball earns another trophy
JoBurg volleyball has been the area’s most consistent program, but they have gone into a usually tough district in Division 3. This past season, they made their way through Inland Lakes and East Jordan on their way to a district title.
7. Into the snow
Racers at snowmobiling’s premier endurance race, the International 500 in Sault Ste Marie, make sure they are seen while coming out of a snow squall.
8. Senior hugs
After another Ski Valley Conference title victory, Gaylord St. Mary’s seniors share one final embrace on their home floor.
9. Cosby vaults into the record books
Gaylord sophomore Calvin Cosby became known across the state as one of the top pole vaulters in Division 2. He always put on a show at Gaylord’s home meets.
10. GSM rivalry celly
Gaylord St. Mary baseball had a great 2026 season, including this victory over rival Johannesburg-Lewiston.
11. Making the throw
A classic baseball action shot during a Gaylord vs. Petoskey rivalry game.
12. Running away from the scene of the crime
What looked like Ella Cherwinski’s second goal of the game vs. Kingsford was eventually called back for a push. Still, the elation of the moment was juxtaposed by the Flivvers players on the turf.
13. A cold bath of celebration
A memorable season for the Gaylord girls soccer team was highlighted by the team’s district title victory, becoming the first team in program history to win a conference and district championship in the same season.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Check out the top Gaylord area high school sports photos of 2025-26
Reporting by Dylan Jespersen, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Jespersen, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
