Sharrow, Miller beat box their way to individual titles as QHS captures championship of own wrestling invite

QUINCY — Hugh Sharrow’s academic standing says freshman, but he’s obviously wiser — and talented — well beyond his years.

“He’s legendary,” Quincy High School wrestling coach Phil Neally said through a wry smile.

Neally likes to talk as much about Sharrow’s beat-boxing abilities as he does his skills on the mat.

Both were in evidence Saturday during the 50th Quincy Invitational.

“Hugh is (already) a legendary beat boxer — legendary,” Neally emphasized.

And when coerced — even at the slightest — Sharrow will cut loose with his best imitation of beat box legends the caliber of Doug E Fresh or Biz Markie, plus a modern-day master like Vineeth Vincent.

“I started doing it a few years ago after seeing some videos,” said Sharrow, before displaying his skills for all those within earshot.

Sharrow’s willingness to perform came after he captured the 106-pound championship that helped trigger the Blue Devils’ run to the team title in the 11-school event.

Quincy finished with 226.5 points to outdistance Jacksonville (221.5), Central (187) and Mascoutah (160). Eleven schools competed in a slimmed-down field after six dropped out late in the week over concerns about potential problems with the winter weather.

Joining Sharrow as an individual QHS champion was Max Miller at 160 pounds. The Blue Devils’ Kayden Garrett (170) and Dylan Becker (132) were runners-up in their weight classes.

Quincy’s title was its third in event history and the first since 1998.

Other local champs were Central’s Jack Thompson (113) and Kanye Mitchell (120), plus Curtis Steinkamp (126) of Quincy Notre Dame. Konner Bush (145) of Central finished second.

Sharrow’s wrestling weight is listed as 106 pounds, but he’s actually about 10 pounds lighter. Admittedly, that can be a problem.

“I do better when I can stay on top,” said Sharrow, who owns a 21-14 record. “If I get underneath it can be trouble (against opponents that are usually heavier).”

Sharrow topped Troy Triad’s Alex Milam 7-6 in the finals in a back-and-forth match that was up for grabs until the end.

Neally feels Sharrow’s determination mirrors that of the rest of the team. He said that could be seen in the closing moments of the championship match when Sharrow managed to maintain control despite being thoroughly exhausted.

“Our depth is a key, and so is the way the kids will do all they can to (score points), whether it’s in a consolation match or whatever,” Neally said. “This group works their asses off.”

Another example of that blue-collar and unselfish work ethic is Miller (25-15), who dropped 10 pounds in an effort to wrestle at 160. He was subbing for Owen Uppinghouse, who is sidelined with an elbow injury.

“Owen is our star and I (was glad to be able to help),” Miller said. “I usually wrestle at 170 pounds, but the 10 pounds I cut were all fat, no muscle.”

Once Miller worked through some of the early rounds at 160, he said he felt confident.

“I thought I had a good chance to win,” he said.

Miller defeated Triad’s Sam Wheeler in the finals 7-2. Miller dominated most of the match.

Thompson provided Central with its first title when he pinned Cohen Green of Macomb with two seconds remaining in the match. Mitchell made it back-to-back Central championships when he defeated Jack Mansfield of Macomb 8-5.

QND’s Steinkamp pinned Stephen Preciado of East Peoria at 4 minutes, 39 seconds in a bout he controlled from the onset. Steinkamp, who was leading 17-2 at the time of the fall, helped QND to an eighth-place finish.

Mascoutah’s Santino Robinson pinned Becker in the title round and was later named the meet’s most outstanding wrestler.

Jacksonville’s Troy Elliott pinned Bush in their championship match, and Logan Will of Mascoutah edged Garrett 2-1 in their title match.

Other champs were Triad’s Chase Hall (138), Jacksonville’s James Cotton (152), Pekin’s Shamon Handegan (182), East Peoria’s Zach Eaton (195), East Peoria’s Karson Lamb (220) and Jacksonville’s Aiden Surrat (285).

Palmyra, which had three wrestlers go undefeated Friday night, forfeited all of its matches Saturday by not returning.