Best of DyeStat: Laura Duffy's top photos of 2019

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Laura Duffy is a P.E. teacher in the Chicago suburbs and a valuable contributor with photo coverage in Illinois and the Midwest. She has also developed into an important piece of our New Balance Nationals coverage by keeping a creative eye on the sights and sounds of the meets outside of the track ovals indoors (New York) and out (Greensboro). . 

Back in the day, Donna Dye filled this role and her photos of athletes with their family members, coaches and friends became an anchor of the meet coverage -- Donna On The Side.

In Laura's words: "There is a story of course with the victors and the races that ends in upsets and surprises. But, like any good story, there is a beginning. Someone encouraged you to run, someone inspired you, someone became your teammate and your best friend. These are also the photos and stories we want to find. While most of my instagram is focused on finding funny and unusual running stories, we also find special moments between a father and daughter, teammates, and those crazy fans that make the sport what it is!" 

Follow her on instagram at @duffys.lens

A portrait of strength and confidence. 

Sydney Masciarelli and her dad after winning a race at New Balance Nationals to cap a great year. Part of the Father's Day Gallery. 

This multi-event athlete does her warmups upside down at New Balance Nationals Indoor. 

Sydney McLaughlin returned to New Balance Nationals Indoor as a bona fide celebrity. 

Pink was a popular color at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational and at Pre-Nationals as a wide variety of teams wore alternate uniforms to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. STORY

The passion of track fans, especially, when its family in the stands, is unsurpassed.

This was a big moment in Illinois when Josh Methner broke Craig Virgin's 1973 state course record in Peoria. Methner would go on to take second at NXN and then win the Foot Locker title. 

Here comes trouble. Zofia Dudek, middle, runs in a pack with fellow Midwest stalwarts Taylor Ewert (Ohio), Katelynne Hart (Illinois) and Tatum David (Illinois) at the NXR Midwest regional meet.