QUINCY — Four years ago, Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman picked up a camera for the first time and attempted to shoot his own photos to accompany his stories. At the time, he prayed for one clean image. Over time, those expectations have changed.
Now, Schuckman enjoys sharing photos of area student-athletes nearly as much as he does telling their stories. Here are a dozen photos from 2023 that he considers some of his favorites:
Quincy Notre Dame’s Brady Kindhart, right, looks at the home plate umpire for a call after sliding headfirst across the plate on a wild pitch during a game against Macon at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield.Quincy High School cornerback Rico Clay (14) and his teammates react to a hit Clay laid on a West Chicago running back during the Class 7A first-round playoff game at Flinn Stadium.The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players react to winning the Class 2A super-sectional against Deer Creek-Mackinaw.Quincy High School’s Bri Lannerd hits a shot headed for the left post during a soccer game at Flinn Stadium.Quincy Notre Dame’s Aiden Klauser, left, tries to catch a pass while being interfered with by Nashville’s Isaac Blazier during the Class 2A second-round playoff game at Advance Physical Therapy Field.Quincy Notre Dame’s Michael Venvertloh chips out of a sand trap on the 10th hole at Westview Golf Course.Southwest Baptist goalkeeper Dawson Sozio gets his hands on the ball as a bevy of Quincy University attackers go after a restart played into the box at Legends Stadium.Quincy Notre Dame all-stater and Mizzou signee Abbey Schreacke, left, talks with University of Missouri coaching legend Norm Stewart following her MVP performance in the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo.Quincy Notre Dame’s Channing Trevino leaps over the slide tackle from a Mendota defender during the Class 1A sectional semifinal game in Chillicothe, Ill.Quincy High School wrestler Owen Uppinghouse reacts to his victory in the semifinals of the Quincy Invitational.Quincy University third baseman Logan Voth goes to barehand a bunt against McKendree at QU Stadium.Quincy Notre Dame’s Jake Schisler, left, looks to the sky as he crosses home plate after hitting a home run in the Class 2A super-sectional just two days after teammate Tucker Tollerton was killed in an automobile accident.
