Highland’s Crist, Canton’s Taylor finish in top 11 at state golf tournament, Cougars take fourth as team

Highland's Morgan Crist, left, and Canton's Hanna Taylor earned state medals after placing in the top 11 at the Class 1 state golf tournament at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington, Mo. | Submitted photo

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Morgan Crist and the Highland girls golf team rebounded nicely Tuesday, and they have the hardware to prove it. Crist, a junior, shaved 12 strokes off her first-round total by shooting an 8-over 80 and climbing into a fifth-place tie individually at the Class 1 state golf tournament at Crown Pointe Golf…

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Youthful area golfers set to embrace opportunity state tournament play provides

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Olliver Hendrian will be making his second state tournament appearance when the Raiders tee it up Friday in the Class 1A event at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill.

QUINCY — Why wait to be great? Throughout the prep golf season, with the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West boys golf teams battling for supremacy and the QND girls team consistently showcasing its depth, comments regarding each team’s youthful lineup focused on the future instead of the present. One of the more common refrains…

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Crist leads Cougars to district title, state berth; five Monroe City golfers qualify for state

Highland's Morgan Crist — MRN FILE PHOTO

MOBERLY, Mo. — Morgan Crist was one of two golfers to break 90 as she led the Highland girls golf team to a Class 1 District 3 championship at Heritage Hills Golf Course. This district championship earned the Cougars a spot at the Class 1 state tournament. Crist shot an 18-over 88, tied with Marceline’s…

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Photo gallery: Scenes from Class 1A girls golf sectional at Lincoln Greens Golf Course

Quincy Notre Dame freshman golfer Nancy Scholz, right, gets some words of encouragement from her grandfather, Chuck Scholz, during Monday's Class 1A sectional at Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team earned its spot in the Class 1A state tournament field, finishing second Monday in the Rochester Sectional at Lincoln Greens Golf Course. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey…

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‘It’s good to go out with a bang’: QND’s Eversman steady on back nine to win Class 1A regional title

Quincy Notre Dame senior Meredeith Eversman rolls in a par putt on the ninth green during Tuesday's Class 1A regional at Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

HAMILTON, Ill. — Maybe Meredith Eversman found the magic elixir to evening out a topsy-turvy round of golf. Switch your balls. Having posted a 7-over 43 on the front nine Tuesday at Deer Run Golf Course, the Quincy Notre Dame senior pulled a different sleeve of balls from her bag when she went to the…

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Photo gallery: Scenes from Class 1A girls regional at Deer Run Golf Course

West Hancock's Lucy Woodworth points in the direction of where a ball went during Tuesday's Class 1A regional at Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. HAMILTON, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West girls golf teams advanced to the Class 1A Rochester Sectional by finishing in the top three Tuesday at the Class 1A regional at Deer Run Golf Course. QND…

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Photo gallery: Moline wins WB6 girls golf crown after solid effort at Westview Golf Course

Quincy High School senior Ashley Walbring hit her second shot on the par-4 18th hole during Wednesday's Western Big 6 Conference girls golf championships at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The rain that fell over a 36-hour period left the Westview Golf Course’s fairways soft and the greens accessible for Wednesday’s Western Big 6 Conference girls golf championship. Moline took full advantage of it. The Maroons…

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Photo gallery: QND girls golf team wins West Central Conference championship

Quincy Notre Dame's Nancy Scholz tees off during Tuesday's West Central Conference championships at Westview Golf Course. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team conquered the elements Tuesday on its way to a West Central Conference title. The Raiders’ top four golfers posted a 333 on holes 10 through 27 at a damp…

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Scoreboard for Monday, Sept. 23

Stephens, Suns sweep Mustangs AUGUSTA, Ill. — Amanda Stephens finished with 16 kills, 13 digs and eighth assists as the Southeastern volleyball team beat Mendon Unity 25-9, 25-17. The Suns are 16-1. Saylor Barry led the Mustangs with 18 digs and five kills. Chargers win 12th match of season CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Illini West…

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Boudreau, QND girls win Macomb Invitational titles as postseason play nears

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won the championship of Saturday's Macomb Invitational at Gold Hills Golf Course in Colchester, Ill. | Submitted photo

COLCHESTER, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team is primed for the postseason. The Raiders posted a 321 team score Saturday in the Macomb Invitational at Gold Hills Golf Course, repeating as the tournament champion and setting the stage to chase the West Central Conference title Tuesday at Westview Golf Course and a…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, Sept. 18

Raiders beat Bombers in Ryder Cup match COLCHESTER, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team beat Macomb in a Ryder Cup match at Gold Hills Golf Club, posting a 114 team score. The Bombers posted a 137 as the teams played three holes of best ball, three holes of alternate shot and three…

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Photo gallery: Hannibal, QND, QHS girls golfers take on Norwoods Golf Club

The Quincy High School girls golf team was part of a quadrangular Tuesday at Norwoods Golf Club in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal, Quincy Notre Dame, Quincy High School and Kirksville girls golf teams played a nine-hole match Tuesday at Norwoods Golf Club. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey hit the links with them and put together this photo gallery:

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Quincy St. Peter girls golf team finishes second at IESA state tournament

The Quincy St. Peter girls golf team — Ida Hermsmeier, Olivia Scholz, Ari Brock and Hannah Russell — finished second at the IESA state tournament in Metamora, Ill. | Submitted photo

METAMORA, Ill. — The Quincy St. Peter girls golf team finished second at the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament Thursday, posting a 381 total at Metamora Fields Golf Course. Downs Tri-Valley won the team title with a 353, while Champaign St. Matthew was third at 399. Quincy St. Peter’s Ari Brock and Olivia Scholz…

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Boudreau ties for second as QND girls golf team takes second at Lady Pirate Invitational

Hannibal's Emma Clayton pitches out of a bunker onto the green during Wednesday's Lady Pirate Invitational at Norwoods Golf Course in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team pieced together another solid up-and-down-the-lineup effort Wednesday, finishing second in the eight-team Lady Pirate Invitational at Norwoods Golf Course. The Raiders posted a 351 team total, while St. Dominic, the reigning Class 3 state champion in Missouri, took first with a 324. QND junior Belle…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, August 24

Chargers take second at Gary Saunders Invitational MACOMB, Ill. — The Illini West boys golf team continues to show it can play with the best Class 1A programs in the state. The Chargers took second Saturday in the 50th Gary Saunders Invitational at Macomb Country Club, posting a 326 team total. Port Byron Riverdale won…

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Raiders showcase depth with victory to open season in Lady Titan Invitational

Quincy Notre Dame senior Meredith Eversman took medalist honors by shooting an 84 on Thursday in the Lady Titan Invitational at Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

HAMILTON, Ill. — The depth of the Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team’s lineup showed in the Raiders’ season-opening event. Senior Meredith Eversman earned individual medalist honors by shooting an 84 as QND rolled to a 357 team score and a 93-stroke victory in the Lady Titan Invitational at Deer Run Golf Course. QND junior…

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Pirates’ Minor finishes with birdie barrage to claim third at Class 3 state tournament

The Hannibal girls golfers — from left, Alena Gilmore, Kate Ferguson-Minor, Siena Minor, Baylee Pugh and Grace Kirby — finished fifth at the Class 3 state tournament at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington, Mo. | Photo courtesy Hannibal athletics

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Siena Minor finished with a flourish, helping the Hannibal girls golf team set a standard future golfers can chase. Minor, a senior, birdied three of her final eight holes Tuesday to shoot a 2-under 70 at Crown Pointe Golf Club to finish third individually at the Class 3 state tournament. She is…

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Missouri prep notebook: Cougars extend win streak to 18, three qualify for state tennis tourney, Keller sets Monroe City record

The Highland softball team finished the regular season with a 26-2 record and heads into the playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2. | Submitted photo

EWING, Mo. — The No. 1-ranked softball team in Missouri Class 2 is charging into the postseason with a full head of steam. Highland finished its regular season Monday night with a 15-0 victory over Scotland County, putting a stamp on a 26-2 record. The Cougars have won 18 games in a row, and their…

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Hannibal girls golf team qualifies for state tournament for first time in program history

The Hannibal girls golf team finished second in the Class 3 District 2 tournament at the Golf Club of Wentzville to advance to the state tournament for the first time in program history. | Submitted photo

WENTZVILLE, Mo. — As the district scores were posted Friday afternoon and the Hannibal girls golfers found themselves on the cusp of a state tournament appearance, the reality of what was happening created some nervous energy. “It was almost like, ‘OK, I can see it, which means I can believe it, but did it really…

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Photo gallery: QND, Macomb girls golf teams see seasons end at Class 1A Roxana Sectional

Quincy Notre Dame golfer Meredith Eversman chips from the rough onto the sixth fairway during the Class 1A Roxana girls golf sectional Monday at Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

WOOD RIVER, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golfers figured Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin was the bona fide favorite to win the Class 1A Roxana Sectional, but after that it would be a dogfight to see which two additional teams qualified for the state tournament. The Raiders didn’t happen to be in that fight at…

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QND girls golf team’s steady play leaves regional field in a fog as Raiders four-peat as champions

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won its fourth consecutive regional championship, beating the field by 29 strokes Thursday at Rolling Greens Golf Course in Mount Sterling. | Submitted photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — From the moment the Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team left the school parking lot Thursday morning until the Raiders reached Rolling Greens Golf Course, a dense fog made visibility a challenge. Still, the Raiders never lost sight of their goal. A four-peat. The fog forced an adjustment to the tee…

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Postseason primer: Tournament success preps area golfers for pursuit of state tourney bids

The Hannibal girls golf team won the North Central Missouri Conference championship, a perfect springboard into the postseason, which begins Oct. 6 with the district tournament in Wentzville, Mo. | Photo courtesy HHS golf

QUINCY — The postseason is nigh, and it could be an eventful one on the links. Here are five things to keep in mind as regional play for Illinois boys begins Wednesday and girls Thursday and district play for Missouri girls tees off next week: Minor success, major results for Pirates The growth of the…

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Quincy St. Peter, Carthage take third and fourth at IESA state tourney, two area girls golfers in top 10

The Quincy St. Peter girls golf team finished third at the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament at Metamora Fields in Metamora, Ill. | Submitted photo

METAMORA, Ill. — With two top-10 individual medalists and two teams in the top four, it turned out to be a pretty solid day for West-Central Illinois girls golfers at the Illinois Elementary School Association girls golf state tournament. Quincy Blessed Sacrament eighth grader Natalie Druffel finished seventh individually at Metamora Fields Golf Course, shooting…

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Quincy Catholic golfers capture IHSA sectional titles, head to girls state tournament

Quincy Blessed Sacrament eighth grader Natalie Druffel, center, won the IESA sectional title Thursday at Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield, Ill., while the Quincy St. Peter squad won the team title to advance to the state tournament. | Submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A strong contingent of Quincy Catholic golfers is headed to the Illinois Elementary School Association girls state tournament after topping the field Thursday at the sectional at Lincoln Greens Golf Course. Quincy Blessed Sacrament eighth grader Natalie Druffel won the individual title with an 86, while the Quincy St. Peter squad won…

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Show Me Spotlight: Flying high helps Pirates’ Minor gain unique perspective on success

Kate Minor, a senior on the Hannibal girls golf team, will help the Pirates chase a district championship this season. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The adventurous and curious side of Kate Minor shines through no matter what the Hannibal multi-sport standout is doing. That’s especially true when she’s flying above the clouds or taking a walk in the woods. Outside of playing golf and basketball for the Pirates, Minor is a pilot in training, taking lessons…

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Photo gallery: Action gets underway as Hannibal teams prepare for fall seasons

One of the Hannibal football players grabs a drink of water during a break in practice Monday morning at Porter Stadium. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A new year has begun. Award-winning freelance photographer Mathew Kirby spent Monday criss-crossing the Hannibal High School campus and venturing out to the Veterans Elementary sports complex as Hannibal teams opened fall practice. He even made it to Norwoods Golf Course for the girls golf team’s practice. Kirby put together this photo…

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QHS golfers push Birdies for Brain Cancer fundraiser beyond expectations, raise $29,000

Quincy Public Schools superintendent Todd Pettit, left, and Quincy High School principal Jody Steinke, right, presents the QPS Spirit and Pride Award to four QHS golfers — from left to right, Gabriel Gold, Sophia Gold, Saya Geisendorfer and Issa Geisendorfer — for organizing the Birdies for Brain Cancer fundraiser. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — The goal seemed modest and attainable, with the four Quincy High School golfers who organized the “Birdies for Brain Cancer” fundraiser believing they could raise $5,000. Yet, as the pledges began mounting, they changed their expectations. “We thought $8,000 would be a better goal,” Sophia Gold said. Little did they realize they could…

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Raiders’ Knuffman, Blue Devils’ Gold and Geisendorfer all finish strong at state golf tourney

Quincy Notre Dame senior Hana Knuffman walks up a fairway during the Class 1A state tournament Saturday at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Ill. | Photo courtesy Douglas Cottle, PhotoNews Media

DECATUR, Ill. — Hana Knuffman walked away with a solid closing stretch to her prep golf career. The Quincy Notre Dame senior shot a 1-over 37 on the final nine holes Saturday at Red Tail Run Golf Course, leading to a 5-over 77 that moved her into the top 30 individually at the Class 1A…

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QND girls golf team misses cut by two strokes, two QHS golfers sit in top 35

Quincy Notre Dame's Blair Eftink hits a tee shot during the first round of the Class 1A girls state golf tournament at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Ill. | Photo courtesy Douglas Cottle, PhotoNews Media

DECATUR, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team found itself on the outside looking in Friday when the opening round of the Class 1A state tournament wrapped up. The Raiders missed the cut by two strokes, finishing ninth in the 12-team field with a 373 total. Massac County shot a 371 to snare…

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Eftink leads charge as QND girls golf team captures program’s first sectional championship

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won the first sectional championship in program history by shooting a 360 on Monday at the Class 1A Lincoln Sectional. | Submitted photo

LINCOLN, Ill. — The Illinois High School Association’s decision to use the iWanamaker scoring app for postseason golf events took some of the suspense away as the Quincy Notre Dame girls chased a sectional title Monday. However, it did little to diminish the Raiders’ joy. QND posted a 360 team score in the Class 1A…

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QHS’s Gold, Geisendorfer allow steady play to carry them to Class 2A state golf tournament

Quincy High School senior Saya Geisendorfer tees off during Monday's Class 2A O'Fallon Sectional at Far Oaks Golf Club. | Photo courtesy Matt Kamp, Edwardsville Intelligencer

O’FALLON, Ill. — Sophia Gold and Saya Geisendorfer couldn’t have asked for a better start to their rounds Monday at the Class 2A O’Fallon Sectional. The steady play that followed allowed the Quincy High School girls golfers to earn spots in the state tournament field. Gold finished eighth individually and Geisendorfer tied for 14th, while…

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Boudreau’s career-low round helps QND girls golf team capture third consecutive regional crown

Quincy Notre Dame golfer Hana Knuffman sizes up her putt on the 15th hole Thursday at Arrowhead Heights Golf Course in Camp Point, Ill., during the Class 1A Central Regional. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Hana Knuffman understands the Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team doesn’t have to rely on the same golfers day in and day out to post competitive scores.  It’s the kind of depth that makes postseason success possible. “We have really good chemistry with each other, which makes it that we know…

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Gold, Geisendorfer top regional field, lead QHS girls to sixth straight regional golf championship

The Quincy High School girls golf team won its sixth straight regional championship by shooting a 334 on Thursday at the Class 2A Peoria Richwoods Regional at Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Ill. | Submitted photo

PEORIA, Ill. — The kinship Sophia Gold and Saya Geisendorfer share made the idea of an on-course playoff for the regional championship between the Quincy High School golfers incredibly unappealing. So they asked if they could avoid it. Gold, a sophomore, and Geisendorfer, a senior, topped the field in the Class 2A Peoria Richwoods Regional…

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QND girls golf team captures back-to-back WCC championships

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team successfully defended its West Central Conference championship Monday at Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, Ill. | Submitted photo

HAMILTON, Ill. — Back-to-back has a nice ring to it. The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won its second consecutive West Central Conference championship Monday at Deer Run Golf Course, placing all six golfers in the top 10 and winning by nearly 100 strokes. The Raiders posted a 386 team total. Rushville-Industry was second…

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Golf roundup: QND boys use title at Galesburg as springboard into postseason

The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team placed five individuals in the top 10 and won the team title Saturday at the Silver Streaks Invitational at Galesburg, Ill. | Submitted photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team is heading into the postseason on quite a roll. Three days after winning the West Central Conference championship with a 291 team total, the Raiders captured the title of Saturday’s Silver Streaks Invitational at Bunker Links by placing five individuals in the top 10 and…

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QND girls golfers defend title at Kirksville, while Hannibal finishes third

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won the championship of the Kirksville Invitational by 31 strokes Tuesday at Kirksville Country Club. | Submitted photo

KIRKSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team is priming itself for the postseason. Tuesday, the Raiders recorded a pair of personal-best 18-hole scores and successfully defended their championship of the Kirksville Invitational, shooting a 345 at Kirksville Country Club. Kirksville finished second at 376 and Hannibal was third at 391. Palmyra tied…

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Seventh heaven: QHS girls golf team wins its seventh straight WB6 championship

The Quincy High School girls golf team celebrates after winning its seventh consecutive Western Big 6 Conference championship, shooting a 323 on Monday at Midland Golf Club in Kewanee, Ill. | Submitted photo

KEWANEE, Ill. — Sunday’s practice round at Midland Golf Club gave the Quincy High School girls team a blueprint for how to manage the course. “They really concentrated and took good notes,” Blue Devils coach HanLynn Vahlkamp said. Every notation led to something significant. Four QHS golfers finished in the top six individually as the…

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Carmean’s career low round helps QHS girls capture Macomb Invitational title

The Quincy High School girls golf team won the Macomb Invitational on Saturday at Gold Hills Golf Club in Colchester, Ill. | Submitted photo

COLCHESTER, Ill. — Samantha Carmean picked a perfect time to have a career day. The Quincy High School golfer posted a career low 90, helping the Blue Devils win the championship of the Macomb Invitational with a 330 team score at Gold Hills Golf Club. Macomb finished second at 344, and Quincy Notre Dame was…

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The Gold standard: QHS golfers ban together for birdie fundraiser to honor late father, help brain cancer patients

The Gold family — from left to right, Gabriel, Nicole, Sophia and Mark — is providing the inspiration for the Birdies for Brain Cancer fundraiser the Quincy High School boys and girls golf teams are conducting this fall. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — Naturally, Dr. Mark Gold felt inclined to help his son, Gabriel, with his biology homework. “It really didn’t work that well,” Gabriel said with a laugh. His dad’s interest was genuine and understandable. Mark Gold worked as a board certified neurosurgeon for more than 30 years, spending 18 years with the Quincy Medical…

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Macomb boys and girls sweep Prairieland Conference golf championships

The Macomb boys and girls golf teams swept the championships Monday at the Prairieland Conference tournaments at Macomb Country Club. | Submitted photo

MACOMB, Ill. — Make it a clean sweep for the Macomb golfers. The Bombers won both the boys and girls team titles as well as both individual championships Monday during the Prairieland Conference tournaments at Macomb Country Club. On the boys side, Macomb repeated as the Prairieland champion, putting five golfers in the top 10…

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ICYMI: Arch commits to NIU, Knuffman wins playoff, Clay hits grand slam and QU makes history

Palmyra wrestler Collin Arch, a three-time defending state champion who is undefeated in his high school career, verbally committed to Northern Illinois University and announced his decision via Twitter on Saturday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The first full weekend of the fall sports season was filled with highlights — from verbal commitments to grand slams, from playoff victories to historic sweeps. Here is a look at what made us take notice … • Wrestling has always been a family affair for the Arches. It will continue to be…

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Golf roundup: Saukees win own invitational, Blue Devils third in loaded field, Bombers take second

The Pittsfield boys golf team captured the championship of the Pittsfield Invitational on Saturday at Old Orchard Country Club. | Submitted photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course Saturday, posting three scores in the 80s to capture the team championship of the Pittsfield Invitational at Old Orchard Country Club. The Saukees shot a 345, followed by Illini West at 351 and Rushville-Industry at 381. Illini West’s Nolan…

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QND girls golfers capture season-opening event at Deer Run Golf Course

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team posted a 389 team score to win the season-opening Lady Titan Invitational at Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, Ill. | Submitted photo

HAMILTON, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame’s Hana Knuffman shot a 40 on the back nine Thursday at Deer Run Golf Course and posted an 83 to take medalist honors in the Lady Titan Invitational hosted by West Hancock. The QND girls golf team won the season-opening event with a 363. Macomb was second at 389…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, October 19

Palmyra senior Mallory Comstock, left, and Panthers golf coach Chris Parsons celebrate Comstock tying for third at the Class 1 state tournament and becoming the first golfer in program history to earn a state medal. Submitted photo

Girls Golf At Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club, Bolivar, Mo. Class 1 state tournament: Palmyra senior Mallory Comstock became the first golfer in program history to earn a state medal, finishing tied for 13th after the 36-hole event. Comstock improved eight strokes during Tuesday’s second round, shooting a 96. She finished with a two-day…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, October 12

Boys Soccer At Advance Physical Therapy Field, Quincy Class 1A QND Regional: Top-seeded Quincy Notre Dame opened postseason play with an 11-0 whitewashing of ninth-seeded Abingdon-Avon. The Raiders scored twice in the first seven minutes, piled up eight goals in the first half and had no trouble advancing to the regional championship game. Tanner Anderson…

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Knuffman, Eftink enjoy season’s final round with solid scores at state tournament

Quincy Notre Dame girls golf coach Jason Knuffman talks with Raiders junior Blair Eftink during Saturday’s second round of the Class 1A state tournament at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Ill. Photo courtesy Douglas Cottle/PhotoNews

DECATUR, Ill. — Hana Knuffman and Blair Eftink said adios to the pressure and hello to the simple beauty of golf. Tee it up. Drive it. Find the green. Roll it in the cup. Then do it 17 more times without worrying about the score, the leaderboard or the end result. That’s how the two…

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Blue Devils share tears, laughs and hugs after rocky final round at state tournament

Quincy High School’s Paige Cain follows her shot during Saturday’s final round of the Class 2A state golf tournament at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, Ill. Photo courtesy Douglas Cottle/PhotoNews

FORSYTH, Ill. — Laci Novosel didn’t sugarcoat it. “Oh, it was bad,” she said. But it wasn’t so bad she couldn’t laugh it off. “I only cried like twice,” she said with a chuckle. It was that kind of day for the Quincy High School girls golfers. A few tears accompanied wayward shots and frustration…

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Eftink’s series of pars, Knuffman’s steady play key to making cut at state golf tourney

Quincy Notre Dame’s Blair Eftink tees off during the first round of the Class 1A girls state golf tournament Friday at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Ill. Photo courtesy Douglas Cottle/PhotoNews

DECATUR, Ill. — Blair Eftink’s double bogey on the first hole after making the turn Friday put her chances of surviving to play the second round of the Class 1A state golf tournament in limbo. A series of pars changed everything. Eftink rolled in par putts on six of her final eight holes, including four…

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Blue Devils make cut at state tournament, ready to chase trophy in final round

Quincy High School’s Laci Novosel tracks her shot during Friday’s opening round of the Class 2A girls state golf tournament at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, Ill. Photo courtesy Douglas Cottle/PhotoNews

FORSYTH, Ill. — The fluctuating leaderboard had the Quincy High School girls golf team bouncing anywhere from fifth to eighth place every couple of holes Friday afternoon. It made everyone a little leery of what was transpiring. So as Laci Novosel, one of two seniors and the only current Blue Devil with state tournament experience,…

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Student of the game: Novosel’s competitive nature shines on course, in classroom

Quincy High School senior Laci Novosel has led the Blue Devils to the Class 2A state tournament for the first time since 1983. David Adam photo

QUINCY — Laci Novosel couldn’t choose. Given the option of having a higher grade point average or a lower strokes-per-round average, the Quincy High School senior golfer and self-described nerd wavered in the middle. “Oh, gosh, I can’t pick,” Novosel said. “I have to have both. My entire life is school and golf. It equals…

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Raiders use in-season experience to prep them for fight to reach state tournament

Quincy Notre Dame senior golfer Hana Knuffman Submitted photo

AUBURN, Ill. — There’s a benefit to playing a schedule chock full of talented opponents. The Quincy Notre Dame girls golfers are realizing that. The regular-season setbacks suffered against Quincy High School and Macomb — teams that won regional championships and are sending golfers to their respective state tournaments — prepped the Raiders to be…

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Blue Devils keep focus on matter at hand, power way to state tourney berth

The Quincy High School girls golf team finished third at the Class 3A Washington Sectional and is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 1983. Submitted photo

WASHINGTON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls golfers made a pact with Blue Devils coach Hanlynn Vahlkamp not to check the digital scoring app while on the course during Monday’s Class 2A sectional at Quail Meadows Golf Course. “It makes us a little too anxious,” Vahlkamp said. So Sophia Gold never took a peek.…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, September 22

Boys Soccer At Jacksonville, Ill. Quincy High School 0, Jacksonville 0: Senior goalkeeper Grayson Cook and the defense shut down the Crimsons’ offense, but the Blue Devils struggled to generate scoring opportunities. QHS is 6-3-3 overall. Girls Golf At Deer Run Golf Course, Hamilton, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame d. West Hancock: The Raiders shot a…

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Liquor Booth Shot of the Game: Blue Devils’ Novosel records first hole-in-one

Quincy High School senior golfer Laci Novosel made a hole-in-one on No. 16 at Gold Hills Golf Course in Colchester during the Macomb Invitational. Submitted photo

QUINCY — The moment after contact, Macomb’s Lily Vardaman called it. “As the shot was in air, she was like, ‘Hole-in-one, baby!’” Quincy High School senior golfer Laci Novosel said. “It sounded good, which is why she said that. And it looked good.” It turned out perfect. Last Saturday, playing in the Macomb Invitational at…

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Blue Devils’ Novosel, Cain cap careers with perfect record in WB6 golf championships

From left to right, Quincy High School's Anya Nanjappa, Maddie O'Brien, Sophia Gold, Laci Novosel, Paige Cain and Saya Geisendorfer celebrate their Western Big 6 Conference championship. Submitted photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — Laci Novosel and Paige Cain’s careers are perfect. At least they are against Western Big 6 Conference competition. The Quincy High School senior golfers led the Blue Devils to their fifth straight conference championship Monday, posting a team total of 310 at Lake Bracken Country Club. For both golfers, it’s four seasons…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, September 18

College Football At QU Stadium, Quincy Quincy University 38, Walsh 17. Click here for the story. At Gregg-Mitchell Field, Marshall, Mo. Culver-Stockton College 52, Missouri Valley 28. Click here for the story. Prep Football At Jacksonville, Ill. Jacksonville Routt 32, Unity-Payson 26. The Mustangs’ Cecil Hunt scored a pair of 12-yard touchdowns in the first…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, September 15

Quincy Notre Dame's Haley Mayer, right, drives a shot between the block of Payson Seymour's Saige Gillmore, left, and Maggie Stanford, center, during Wednesday night's match at the Pit. Matt Schuckman photo

Girls Volleyball At The Pit, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame d. Payson Seymour: The Raiders rolled to their 11th straight victory, winning 25-9, 25-14. Abbey Schreacke with nine kills for QND, which is 11-0. At Mendon, Ill. Unity d. Beardstown: Ashlynn Arnsman had six kills, 11 service points, five aces and four blocks in leading the…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, September 14

Monroe City’s Audri Youngblood hits a pitch during Tuesday's game against Hannibal at the Veterans Complex in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Prep Cross Country At South Park, Quincy Running Raider Invitational: The depth of the Quincy High School boys and girls cross country teams were on display, as was the Blue Devils’ high-end talent. The boys race featured a showdown between Blue Devils senior Fiker Rosen and West Hancock senior Miles Sheppard. Rosen won the individual…

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Scoreboard for Monday, September 13

Boys Soccer At Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill. Quincy High School 1, Springfield 1: Spencer Jenkins scored the equalizer for the Blue Devils in 35th minute with a header off a Nolan Fleer assist. The Blue Devils are 4-2-1. Quincy Notre Dame 4, Chatham Glenwood 1: Tanner Anderson recorded the hat trick and Leo Cann also…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, September 11

College Football At QU Stadium, Quincy Quincy University 59, Iowa Wesleyan 27 At Ellison Poulton Stadium, Canton, Mo. Culver-Stockton College 38, Evangel 35 Men’s Soccer At John Wood Community College, Quincy JWCC 2, Heartland 1: The Trail Blazers’ Adam Naim converted a penalty kick in the first overtime to knock off the nation’s No. 7…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, September 9

Boys Soccer At Lee Stadium, Springfield, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 3, Springfield 3: The Raiders twice surrendered the lead, resulting in their second draw of the season. The Senators scored the game-tying goal in the 71st minute. Tanner Anderson scored twice, converting a penalty kick in the 16th minute and finishing a Leo Cann assist…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, September 7

Boys Soccer At Flinn Stadium, Quincy Quincy High School 2, Moline 0: The Blue Devils used a stellar defensive effort and two quality goals to win their Western Big 6 Conference home opener and move to 2-0 in league play. Evan Altman and Andrew Brown scored the Blue Devils’ goals, while Carter Venvertloh had assists…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, August 26

Girls Volleyball At The Pit, Quincy Notre Dame Quincy Notre Dame beat West Hancock 25-13, 25-18. Abbey Schreacke led the Raiders with eight kills and three aces, Emma Hoing had five kills and Maggie Drew dished out 25 assists. The Raiders had eight aces as a team. QND is now 2-0. Girls Golf At Gold…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, August 24

Boys Soccer At Beardstown, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 3, Beardstown 0: The Raiders scored three second-half goals to improve to 2-0. Jakob Vincent scored the first goal before Cayge Hughes made it 2-0 by curling in a corner kick. Ben Frericks finished the scoring with a blast from 18 yards out. Tanner Anderson and Frericks…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, August 21

Girls Golf Alton Marquette Blastoff Invite at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Quincy Notre Dame finished 10th in the 18-team event with a 383. Alton Marquette won the team title with a 313. QND’s Hana Knuffman finished 12th individually with an 85. Blair Eftink shot a 92. Women’s Volleyball At the UW Sports Factory, Rockford,…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, August 19

Girls Tennis Quincy Notre Dame 9, Lincoln 0 The Raiders lost just 10 games overall, including just one in the three doubles matches. Lia Quintero won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, while Addi Zanger was the only QND player not to lose a game, winning 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 singles. Girls Golf At…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, August 18

Girls Golf Metamora Invitational, Metamora Fields Golf Club Quincy High School takes first place with a 312 team total. Saya Geisendorfer leads the Blue Devils with a 74, while Sophia Gold shoots a 75, Laci Novosel cards a 79 and Paige Cain posts an 84. Boys Golf Monmouth Triangular, Gibson Woods Golf Course Quincy High…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, August 14

Boys Golf At Macomb Country Club Macomb, 300 Quincy High School, 321 Quincy Notre Dame, 322 Jacksonville, 357 Macomb’s Connor Hamm was medalist with a 70. Luke Mettemeyer led QHS with a 79. Ross Thompson led QND with a 79. Girls Golf At Deer Run Golf Course, Hamilton Quincy Notre Dame, 391 Macomb, 394 Central,…

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