Local resident Thomas Youngblood took the top prize in this year’s Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby, hauling in a 354.6-pound monster flatfish that earned him some $40,440 for his efforts. Youngblood landed the big fish on June 26, fishing with In-2-Fishin’ Charters aboard the F/V Sweet T.

Homer wrestler Mitch “Hurricane” Wyatt executes a takedown against a Skyview wrestler earlier in the season. After racking up numerous wins around the area, Wyatt, a junior, finished third overall at the state tournament in Anchorage.

Runners take to the streets from Bishop’s Beach in the 15th-annual Breast Cancer Run in mid August. Jason Womack took the top spot overall, finishing in 32 minutes, 41.21 seconds, while Julie Barnes placed second overall, and first in the women’s category. Barnes’ time was 33:20.00. A fundraiser to help find a cure for breast cancer, the event raised more than $10,000.

Josh Gilbert winds up to deliver a pitch in a Mariner baseball game at home last spring. The M’s fielded a fairly young team in 2009, but fought their way to the big dance at the State Tournament in Palmer. Two quick losses sent them home early, but not before gaining a fair amount of respect among bigger programs at the competition.

Burl Tonga springs from the blocks in the 200-meter relay at Homer High’s track in early May. As a freshman, Tonga showed promise as both a runner and jumper for the Mariner track and field program, which appears right on track for the 2010 season.