All is Normal on recruiting front: QND’s Mueller commits to Illinois State University

Quincy Notre Dame senior football player Wyatt Mueller committed to Illinois State University, where he is expected to play safety. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The windshield time Wyatt Mueller and his parents logged criss-crossing the Midwest as the Quincy Notre Dame senior football player was courted by college recruiters grew increasingly tiresome. “The worst part was driving everywhere,” Mueller said. “ And sitting in the car.”  The miles driven and time away from home are going to…

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Illinois State’s McCulla receives bid to play in NCAA Division I golf regionals

Quincy Notre Dame graduate Alex McCulla, a junior on the Illinois State University men's golf team, received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I regional in West Lafayette, Ind. | Photo courtesy ISU athletics

NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State University junior golfer Alex McCulla will tee it up in the NCAA West Lafayette Regional, hosted by Purdue University on May 13-15 at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate was one of 10 individuals to receive an at-large regional bid. The West Lafayette Regional features 13…

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‘Best drive I think I’ve hit’: McCulla’s tee shot on final hole caps incredible season-opening tourney and his first collegiate championship

Illinois State University junior golfer Alex McCulla, right, won his first collegiate tournament by shooting a 17-under 199 at the Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run Golf Club in Bark River, Mich. | Photo courtesy Illinois State University

QUINCY — Alex McCulla had one thing in mind during his walk through the woods. “Can I just get to the tee and tee off?” he said. Unaware he carried a three-stroke lead to the 18th tee Monday in the third round of the Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run Golf Club in Bark River,…

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Refusing to cave in under any circumstances carries McCulla, Redbirds to NCAA regional berth

Quincy Notre Dame graduate Alex McCulla, a sophomore on the Illinois State University men's golf team, finished in the top 10 individually in the Missouri Valley Conference championships at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Ill. | Photo courtesy Dennis Banks, ISU athletic communications

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The golf ball’s flight didn’t match the power or precision of the swing, which told Alex McCulla the only logical explanation had to be an equipment failure. Looking at the face of his driver, he saw the problem. “I step up and put a pretty big swing on it, and the ball…

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Strong closing stretch carries ISU’s McCulla to best collegiate finish

Illinois State University sophomore Alex McCulla, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, finished tied for second individually at the Bearcat Invitational in Cincinnati as he posted a 6-under 207 in the 54-hole event. | Photo courtesy Illinois State University

CINCINNATI — Consistency carried Alex McCulla to the best finish of his collegiate career. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate played the final 10 holes of the Bearcat Invitational at Coldstream Country Club in 3-under par, helping the Illinois State University men’s golf team finish fourth in a talented field while McCulla tied for second individually.…

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McCulla with top-10 finish in first collegiate tournament

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Alex McCulla didn’t waste any time showing he belongs. The Illinois State University freshman golfer, who graduated from Quincy Notre Dame last May, was the Redbirds low scorer at the season-opening Hoosier Collegiate Invitational at the Pfau Course at Indiana University. McCulla posted a 1-over 214 to finish ninth individually. The Redbirds…

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