College notebook: Anderson nets first goal, McCulla makes charge, King playing big for Mules’ defense

Former Quincy Notre Dame all-stater Tanner Anderson scored his first collegiate goal in Saint Louis University's 2-0 victory over Rhode Island last Saturday night. | Photo courtesy SLU athletics

ST. LOUIS — The most prolific goal scorer in the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer program’s history is on the board in college now. Tanner Anderson, the two-time QND all-stater and freshman at Saint Louis University, scored his first career goal for the Billikens last Saturday night in a 2-0 victory over Rhode Island in…

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College notebook: Arnold leads charge for Danville golfers, Stratton sees first action, changes happening at JWCC

The Danville Area Community College men's golf team has been on a roll with three top-three finishes this season with a lineup that includes four West-Central Illinois products. | Photo courtesy DACC men's golf program

DANVILLE, Ill. — The influx of talent from West-Central Illinois is giving the Danville Area Community College men’s golf team a competitive edge. Liberty product Blake Arnold is at the forefront of that. Arnold tied for the individual low score at the Vincennes Invitational last weekend, shooting 4-under 140 over 36 holes at Country Oaks…

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Schuck on a Truck: Liberty golfer Blake Arnold discusses his season, family support and finishing his career at state tournament

LIBERTY, Ill. — A decorated high school golf career came to an end last Saturday when Liberty senior Blake Arnold finished tied for 13th at the Class 1A state tournament, and he finished it with a birdie on his final hole. In the process, Arnold became the highest individual state finisher in Liberty golf history.…

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Eagles’ Arnold, Chargers’ Deitrich close prep golf careers with strong finishes

Liberty's Blake Arnold, center, poses for a photo with the Illini West boys golf team after competing in the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. | Submitted photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Blake Arnold ended his high school golf career in fitting fashion. Nolan Deitrich did, too. Arnold, the Liberty senior, made a birdie on the par-4 18th hole Saturday at Prairie Vista Golf Course, putting a cap on a round of 7-over 79 that left him tied for 13th with a 156 total…

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Steady play leads Liberty’s Arnold to second-place finish at Quincy Invitational

Quincy High School's Gabriel Gold hits out of the greenside bunker on the 15th hole at Westview Golf Course during Saturday's 73rd annual Quincy Invitational. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Blake Arnold has figured out how to eliminate the chaos, keep things simple and avoid the kind of mistakes that can derail a solid round of golf. Only one player was better at it Saturday. Springfield’s Peyton Woods shot 1-under on both nines at Westview Golf Course to post a 2-under 69 and…

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Liberty’s Arnold tops field at season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational

Liberty senior Blake Arnold follows his approach shot to the par-4 seventh hole during Thursday's D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If Blake Arnold can replicate the back nine of his first event of the prep golf season, it could turn out to be a banner senior season. The Liberty golfer posted a 2-under 33 on the back nine Thursday at Westview Golf Course, allowing him to card an even-par 71 and earn individual…

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Liberty’s Arnold survives three-hole playoff to capture title at State Farm Youth Classic

Liberty's Blake Arnold poses with the championship trophy after winning the boys 16-17 division of the State Farm Youth Classic at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steph Arnold

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Blake Arnold seemed to take it all in stride. “It felt like just another tournament,” he said. However, not every tournament ends in a three-hole playoff. The Liberty golfer saw his lead in the boys 16-17 division of the State Farm Youth Classic dwindle to a single stroke on the back nine…

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Eagles’ Arnold attacks Prairie Vista course, sits tied for 10th after first round at state

Liberty's Blake Arnold watches his tee shot sail down the fairway during Friday’s opening round of the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The difference between where Blake Arnold is and where he’d like to be can be measured by the distance of the putts he missed. He knows it’s not as far as it seems. The Liberty junior had four birdie putts inside of 5 feet miss the mark, saddling him with a 3-over…

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Eagles’ Arnold goes low to secure sectional championship, state tournament berth

Liberty's Blake Arnold shot a 2-under 70 to take individual medalist honors at the Class 1A PORTA Sectional. Photo courtesy Steph Arnold

PETERSBURG, Ill. — Last week’s regional golf championship didn’t allow Blake Arnold to escape doing any homework. “I bet I had three or four hours of work that night,” the Liberty junior said. So would winning a sectional championship bring any reprieve? “It’s not quite as bad,” Arnold said of the amount of homework he…

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Arnold’s long wait ends in playoff victory; Illini West ready to make next step to state tournament

From left, West Hancock's Andrew Harness and South Fulton's Logan Riopell watch Liberty's Blake Arnold hit a tee shot during Wednesday's Class 1A regional boys golf tournament at Rolling Greens Golf Course in Mount Sterling, Ill. David Adam

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Liberty’s Blake Arnold waited for nearly an hour and a half to find out if a playoff was needed. “I didn’t do much. Just sat around and talked. Maybe hit 10 putts (on the practice green in front of the clubhouse),” he said. Arnold and Blake Deitrich of Illini West both…

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Raiders defend WCC championship, while Eagles’ Arnold goes low to win individual crown

The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team shot its second-lowest team score of the season with a 325 and defended its West Central Conference championship. Photo courtesy Kristina Thompson

QUINCY — The challenges the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team’s lineup faced early in the season due to COVID-19 quarantines and procedures have finally passed. Now, the Raiders seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time. Blake Arnold does, too. QND defended its West Central Conference championship, posting its second-best team score…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Liberty golfer Blake Arnold

Liberty's Blake Arnold, left, shot a 2-over 74 to take medalist honors at the Mercer County Invitational. Photo courtesy Steph Arnold

LIBERTY, Ill. — Blake Arnold has flirted with the top of the leaderboard at several invitationals the past couple of prep golf seasons, emerging as one of the best Class 1A golfers in the region. He reaffirmed that last weekend at the Mercer County Invitational at Valley View Club in Cambridge, Ill. Arnold posted a…

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