Best sports writing of 2010

So as not to start the New Year off on the wrong note, I want to make one more list (I, like you, am getting a little tired of them). It's been a great year editing the sports writing in The DP, so here's a quick look back at a few of my favorite pieces of writing — whether from a journalistic or simply writing standpoint. Enjoy:

It was a notable year for Penn football, so it's fitting that quite a few pieces come from this team. Brian Kotloff wrote a beautiful piece in our football season preview about The Voice of Franklin Field, who retired this year after 50 years of service to Penn. David Gurian-Peck and Neil Fanaroff both wrote moving tributes to Dan 'Coach Lake" Staffieri, who passed away last April. I took a look at how head injuries in football affect student-athletes' ability to keep up with classwork and Alex Siegel also wrote a great piece chronicling Drew Goldsmith's return from a rare blood disease.
Megan Soisson wrote a fun piece about swimmers and their routines when it comes to hair removal.
Rookie writer Sushaan Modi put together a great story on how wrestlers and swimmers spend winter break, balancing the temptation of holiday meals with training.
Kevin Esteves did a great job on both the wrestling and baseball beats, with these pieces on wrestling coach Rob Eiter's little grapplers as well as a look at the Cuban roots of a few Penn baseball players.
Though David Gurian-Peck has since been put out to pasture, he wrote two great articles about Philadelphia traditions: Wing Bowl and Philly Roller Derby, and I'm sure he saw some things at both events that he never wants to see again.
Michael Gold, a Boricua at heart, penned an article on Jessica Melendez, a Miami native on Penn softball who played for the Puerto Rican National Team this summer.
Jennifer Scuteri wrote about the relationship of Zack Rosen, Jerome Allen, and Dr. Harriet Joseph, also known as Penn Basketball's resident Jewish mother.
Ari Seifter realized his dream of becoming a DI women's basketball player when he practiced with Mike McLaughlin's squad and (barely) lived to tell the tale
And last but not least, who could forget Lauren Plotnick's great video tour of the new Weiss Pavilion? It was a different medium, but it surely belongs on this list. Lauren, how's the upper body strength training coming along?

It's been a long year, so I'm sure I've forgotten a few. Share some of your favorite articles in the comments.