John Nepolitan's Favorite Photos of 2025

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Venerable photographer John Nepolitan is an essential member of the DyeStat coverage team and was at events all year long, capturing stirring images for our photo galleries and illustrating our stories. 

Here are 10 of his best photos from 2025, a small sample of the thousands that were taken by DyeStat photographers during the year. (Ten, because that's as many as we can attach to an article). 

John shoots everything important at The Armory in New York and also covers numerous championship events on the East coast around the country. 

From the 5th Ave Mile - one of the many races is a battle between the NYFD and NYPD.  During the race one of the members of the NYPD team badly injured his ankle. Determined to finish the race he continued, but no man is left behind and team members stayed with him and got him home.

From the London Diamond League 800 meters, joy and struggle as Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) powers home to the win Max Burgin (GB) strains to nip Marco Arop (Canada) at the line.

Ryan Buskey (Colonie Central, NY) is the only jumper to clear 7 feet so far in the young indoor season. The Georgia commit cleared a meet record 7-2 to win the JAMBAR Armory Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational in mid-December.

Last event of the summer was one I have been planning on attending for a few years, The Monmouth Mile at Christian Brothers Academy in late August, which saw Adam Spencer (Nike - Australia) hold off Eric Holt (USA - Puma) for the 3:52.93-3:52.99 win.

Long Jump in Times Square - If the people will not come to a track meet the Athlos meet will being track and field to the people.  Doing what many have talked about for years, Athlos held a long jump competition in Times Square and it was no shock that Olympic champ Tara Davis-Woodhall rose to the occasion and put on a show for all. The athletes and fans all seemed to enjoy the event.  Let's home more out-of-box thinking like this will continue.

From the Nike Indoor Nationals girls championship SMR, the NSAF, Nike and The Armory are always looking to put on a show.

She excited even the pros. What a senior year Jane Hedengren had, Her mile national record at the Nike Indoor Nationals even had pro Craig Engles raising a fist in triumph. 

Shot in the spotlight. At most meets, especially indoor events, the shot put is pushed into a corner. But not at the Nike Indoor Nationals where the best boys and girls get a chance to enjoy the spotlight with the shot put showcase out in the middle of the arena and is the only event happening.

Definitely is my favorite photo of 2025.  There was no bigger star than Natalie Dumas (Eastern Senior, NJ) at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. With golds in the 400 hurdles and 400 already in the bag, the junior was cool as a cucumber before taking her third title in the 800. While her rivals paced and nervously moved about before going to the starting line, Dumas showed no fear.