‘In my mind, I’m the best in the state’: Uppinghouse keeps perfect record intact at sectional

By David Adam, MRN Editor | February 11, 2024
Referee Ray Eickelschulte raises Owen Uppinghouse's hand after his 3-0 victory in the championship match of the 165-pound division at the Class 3A sectional on Saturday at Blue Devil Gym. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. Owen Uppinghouse believes he’s the man to beat at 165 pounds in Illinois. Uppinghouse won three matches this weekend in the Class 3A sectional in Blue Devil Gym to remain undefeated after 54 matches. The most important victory was a 3-0 decision over…

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‘Owen’s just a special kid’: Uppinghouse clears first hurdle to state tournament with regional title

By David Adam, MRN Editor | February 4, 2024
Quincy High School's Owen Uppinghouse flexes in celebration of winning the Class 3A regional wrestling championship in the QHS gymnasium Saturday afternoon. | David Adam

QUINCY — Phil Neally has worked with many successful teams and wrestlers during his 20 years as the head coach at Quincy High School, but as the 2023-24 season winds down, he knows his time to witness true greatness is dwindling. Neally has had a ringside seat for Owen Uppinghouse’s dominating senior season. The QHS…

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Schuck on a Truck: Phil Neally discusses QHS’s historic football season, carrying energy into wrestling season

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | November 11, 2023

QUINCY — Phil Neally saw the Quincy High School football team when it struggled as much as it ever has. Three decades later, he’s witnessing the greatest season in program history. As a junior offensive lineman during the 1991 season, Neally and the Blue Devils endured a winless season. The next season, Neally started at…

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Battling bronchitis, Uppinghouse dominates final two matches to place third in Class 3A state meet

By David Adam, MRN Editor | February 19, 2023
Quincy's Owen Uppinghouse celebrates after pinning Lyons's Gunnar Garelli in their third-place match at 160 pounds in Class 3A at the IHSA individual wrestling state finals in State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday. | Photo courtesy of PhotoNews Media/Chris Johns

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After placing third in the 160-pound division in Class 3A at the Illinois High School Association Class 3A individual state wrestling tournament, Quincy High School’s Owen Uppinghouse is ready for a break. And some sleep. Uppinghouse won four out of five matches this week at State Farm Center to finish with a…

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Schuckman: All-in, all-together approach of QHS wrestling family saves memorable holiday trip

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | January 5, 2023
Quincy High School wrestling coach Phil Neally, left, and assistant coach Donnie Peters share a laugh during a match against Pittsfield at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The commitment needed to prepare the Quincy High School wrestlers for a post-Christmas trip to Florida extended far beyond the wrestling room. That made the realization the Blue Devils’ flights on Southwest Airlines on December 26 had been canceled all the more disheartening. “It took the families, not just the parents but the…

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