Muddy River Sports editor receives multiple awards from APSE for coverage of QND baseball and column writing

QUINCY — For the third consecutive year, Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman earned top-10 honors in multiple writing categories in the Associated Press Sports Editors writing and photography contest.

The APSE recognizes the best in sports journalism nationwide through its annual contest with more than 2,000 entries this year. The organization announced the top 10 in each category on its website this week. Official places will be released at a later date.

Schuckman received top-10 mentions in breaking news, event coverage and column writing.

The Hall of Fame sports writer has received 12 APSE awards during his career. This is the third time in the last six years he has been honored for column writing.

Since helping launch Muddy River Sports in August 2021, Schuckman has received seven APSE writing awards. Muddy River Sports also received a digital platform award from APSE in 2022.

This year, Schuckman was honored for his coverage of the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team in both the breaking news and event coverage categories.

His story about the Raiders’ decision to play their Class 2A super-sectional game as scheduled in the wake of Tucker Tollerton’s death was recognized in the breaking news category. Click here to read that story.

In event coverage, Schuckman was honored for his three stories, photo gallery and “Schuck on a Truck” video following the Raiders’ 13-1 victory over Bloomington Central Catholic in the Class 2A super-sectional.

Here are the links to the five parts of the event coverage:

• High fives all around: Raiders use Tollerton’s inspiration to power past Saints and reach Class 2A state final four

• Schuckman: Tollerton watching over his QND teammates in spirit and soul like a hawk

• ‘He threw another gem’: Raiders right-hander Dance delivers by shutting down Saints

• Schuck on a Truck: QND baseball players celebrate state final four berth with No. 5 in their hearts

• Photo gallery: Memories of Tollerton vivid as QND baseball team beats BCC in super-sectional

Here are the links to the four columns Schuckman was recognized for writing:

• Passion poured into baseball by Raiders’ Tollerton more than good enough to make his impact great

• IHSA fails to meet its mission by forcing basketball teams to play third-place games hours after semifinals

• Brock’s black eye brought on by gambling probe will fade and his true character will show

• Best seat in house is alongside longtime coaches who delight in QHS’s success