Brad Tollefson

Professional Photojournalist

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Photos of the Year: 2019

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To continue with one of my favorite annual traditions, I present to you some of my favorite photos from 2019.

Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma Basketball Fire

The starting lineups are announced before the game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
The starting lineups are announced before the game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)

Chinne Okoronkwo Pole Vault

Texas Tech's Chinne Okoronkwo clears the bar in the pole vault competition during the Big 12 indoor track and field championships Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas. Okoronkwo won the event after clearing the 4.38 meter high vault. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Chinne Okoronkwo clears the bar in the pole vault competition during the Big 12 indoor track and field championships Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas. Okoronkwo won the event after clearing the 4.38 meter high vault. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Buffalo NCAA Basketball

Texas Tech's Tariq Owens (11) dunks the ball during the NCAA tournament second round game against Buffalo, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Tariq Owens (11) dunks the ball during the NCAA tournament second-round game against Buffalo, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Virginia NCAA Basketball Championship

Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver (23) tries to score the game-winning shot over Virginia's Braxton Key (2) during the men's basketball national championship against Virginia, Monday, April 8, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver (23) tries to score the game-winning shot over Virginia’s Braxton Key (2) during the men’s basketball national championship against Virginia, Monday, April 8, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Parker Hicks (20) kneels next to Texas Tech's Davide Moretti (25) after the men's basketball national championship game against Virginia, Monday, April 8, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Parker Hicks (20) kneels next to Texas Tech’s Davide Moretti (25) after the men’s basketball national championship game against Virginia, Monday, April 8, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Primrose School of Midland

Ruth Burgess, Ellysen Curtis and Alexander VanRosendale jump around on toy hoops while playing outside at Primrose School of Midland at Westridge on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 in Midland, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/AP Images for Primrose Schools)
Ruth Burgess, Ellysen Curtis and Alexander VanRosendale jump around on toy hoops while playing outside at Primrose School of Midland at Westridge on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Midland, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/AP Images for Primrose Schools)

Girl Scout Cookie Donations

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terrence Greene catches a box of Girl Scout Cookies while loading the donated cookies onto a C-130J from Dyess Air Force Base, Friday, April 26, 2019, at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Lubbock, Texas.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terrence Greene catches a box of Girl Scout Cookies while loading the donated cookies onto a C-130J from Dyess Air Force Base, Friday, April 26, 2019, at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Matthew Boling State Track

Strake Jesuit's Matthew Boling crosses the finish line in the 100 meter race during the UIL state track and field meet Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. Boling finished in first with a time of 10.13 seconds, breaking a national record. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Strake Jesuit’s Matthew Boling crosses the finish line in the 100 meter race during the UIL state track and field meet Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. Boling finished in first with a time of 10.13 seconds, breaking a national record. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Amarillo Helium Shortage

Barry Stoll, the plant manager, opens the covered shelter of a helium enriched gas wells during a tour of the Cliffside Gas Field and Helium Enrichment Unit, Friday, May 17, 2019, in Amarillo, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/San Antonio Express-News)
Barry Stoll, the plant manager, opens the covered shelter of a helium enriched gas wells during a tour of the Cliffside Gas Field and Helium Enrichment Unit, Friday, May 17, 2019, in Amarillo, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/San Antonio Express-News)

Mike Martin Retires

Florida State coach Mike Martin waves to the crowd after the College World Series game against Texas Tech, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Florida State coach Mike Martin waves to the crowd after the College World Series game against Texas Tech, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Michigan CWS

Texas Tech's Taylor Floyd (28) sits in the dugout after the College World Series game against Michigan, Friday, June 21, 2019, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Taylor Floyd (28) sits in the dugout after the College World Series game against Michigan, Friday, June 21, 2019, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Catandra Hollins

Catandra Hollins, a senior sociology major from Dallas, applied for colleges and scholarships through her high school library because she did not have internet in her home. Photographed Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Texas Tech University Library in Lubbock, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/Dallas Morning News)
Catandra Hollins, a senior sociology major from Dallas, applied for colleges and scholarships through her high school library because she did not have internet in her home. Photographed Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Texas Tech University Library in Lubbock, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/Dallas Morning News)

Metro Tower

A panoramic view of the city from the 20th floor of Metro Tower, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. Plans are being considered to develop the tower into apartment units. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
A panoramic view of the city from the 20th floor of Metro Tower, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. Plans are being considered to develop the tower into apartment units. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Matt Wells

Texas Tech coach Matt Wells, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech coach Matt Wells, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Arizona Football

Texas Tech and Arizona players stand for the coin toss before the game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech and Arizona players stand for the coin toss before the game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Susan Graham West Texas Walk of Fame

Susan Graham, an international opera singer, reacts to seeing her plaque displayed on stage during the West Texas Walk of Fame induction ceremony, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in Lubbock, Texas. Susan Graham, David Kneupper, Romeo Reyna and Larry Trider were the 2019 inductees in the Walk of Fame. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Susan Graham, an international opera singer, reacts to seeing her plaque displayed on stage during the West Texas Walk of Fame induction ceremony, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in Lubbock, Texas. Susan Graham, David Kneupper, Romeo Reyna and Larry Trider were the 2019 inductees in the Walk of Fame. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Post vs. Abernathy Football Lightning

Lightning strikes in the sky during the game between Post and Abernathy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Antelope Stadium in Abernathy, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Lightning strikes in the sky during the game between Post and Abernathy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Antelope Stadium in Abernathy, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma Football

Oklahoma's Trey Sermon (4) scores a touchdown over Texas Tech's Riko Jeffers (6) during the game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at Gaylord Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Oklahoma’s Trey Sermon (4) scores a touchdown over Texas Tech’s Riko Jeffers (6) during the game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at Gaylord Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Cattle in Yellow Wildflowers

Cattle graze in a field of wildflowers Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, near Claude, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Cattle graze in a field of wildflowers Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, near Claude, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State Football

Texas Tech's KeSean Carter (82) catches a touchdown pass in front of Oklahoma State's Tanner McCalister (2) during the game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Texas Tech’s KeSean Carter (82) catches a touchdown pass in front of Oklahoma State’s Tanner McCalister (2) during the game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)

Texas Tech vs. Baylor Football

Texas Tech's T.J. Vasher (9) scores a touchdown around Baylor's Jameson Houston (11) in overtime during the game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s T.J. Vasher (9) scores a touchdown around Baylor’s Jameson Houston (11) in overtime during the game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Library

John Perrin, the registrar of the Southwest Collection, removes a bound book of newspapers from the archive room to be stored at Texas Tech, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
John Perrin, the registrar of the Southwest Collection, removes a bound book of newspapers from the archive room to be stored at Texas Tech, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

I-27 Recycling Cleanup

Shingles, concrete and tires cover the 200 acres of land at the former recycling facility near Interstate 27 and Cedar Avenue, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. Casey Johnson and Kyle Zahn purchased the property to clean up and develop the land. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Shingles, concrete and tires cover the 200 acres of land at the former recycling facility near Interstate 27 and Cedar Avenue, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. Casey Johnson and Kyle Zahn purchased the property to clean up and develop the land. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech Homecoming Pep Rally

Texas Tech feature twirler Abigail Morgan performs with flaming batons during the homecoming pep rally Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech feature twirler Abigail Morgan performs with flaming batons during the homecoming pep rally Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Lubbock Police Substation

Lubbock police chief Floyd Mitchell talks about the location of the new police substation during a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, near Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Lubbock police chief Floyd Mitchell talks about the location of the new police substation during a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, near Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Buddy Holly Hall

Michelle Stephens talks about the structure of the spiral staircase during a tour of Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. The venue is expected to complete construction in the summer of 2020. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Michelle Stephens talks about the structure of the spiral staircase during a tour of Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. The venue is expected to complete construction in the summer of 2020. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Lubbock-Cooper vs. Wichita Falls Rider Football

Lubbock-Cooper's Isaiah Johnson (3) kisses the trophy after the win against Wichita Falls Rider, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Bulldog Stadium in Abilene, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Lubbock-Cooper’s Isaiah Johnson (3) kisses the trophy after the win against Wichita Falls Rider, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Bulldog Stadium in Abilene, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Miracles Christmas Parade

A U.S. Marine Corps member collects toys for Toys for Tots during the Miracles Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
A U.S. Marine Corps member collects toys for Toys for Tots during the Miracles Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Texas Tech vs. Louisville Basketball

Texas Tech's Avery Benson (24) blocks the shot by Louisville's Lamarr Kimble (0) during the first half of the Jimmy V Classic game Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Avery Benson (24) blocks the shot by Louisville’s Lamarr Kimble (0) during the first half of the Jimmy V Classic game Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Reach Wireline

An employee installs shaped charges into a perforating gun Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at Reach Wireline in Odessa, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/Reach Wireline)
An employee installs shaped charges into a perforating gun Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at Reach Wireline in Odessa, Texas. (Brad Tollefson/Reach Wireline)

Finally, here are my favorite photos that were shot on assignment specifically for the A-J. Also, I dug through photos from the past decade at the A-J, and here are my picks of those pics.