Ad Spot

In individual results, Madison players seize multitude of awards in state championship

MADISON – A little bit of snow and an abundance of arctic winds didn’t stop players’ motivation for outstanding performances in the 2022 State Chess Championship.

Bob Jones High School hosted the championship, the first over-the-board state scholastic championship event since 2019.

Todd Guthrie, who is Scholastic Vice President of Alabama Chess Federation or ACF, served as Chief Tournament Director. He was assisted by Kristian Jordan, ACF Public Relations Vice President, and Madison City Chess League Tournament Directors Nitin Badhe, Parag Saxena, Guy Calinsky, Chris Hayes and Puja Chopade.

Xavier Bruni from Discovery Middle School won the Junior High Championship. Kylie Zou from Horizon Elementary School (whose score tied for first place with two other students) was declared Co-Champion in the Elementary Championship. Kylie was last year’s Primary Champion.

“It was a clean sweep as MCCL members captured every award in the Primary Championship section, the highest rated section for students in grades K-3,” MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said.

“Esteban Jerez won the Primary Championship this year, continuing the rich tradition we have growing young chess players. The win was energized through our All Star Chess Club program for second- and third-graders,” Bartlett said.

Winners for the 2022 State Primary included Esteban Jerez from Horizon Elementary School in first place, followed by Esinam Tettey in second, Isaac Kreusser in third, Annabelle Hsu, fourth and Alice Zou, fifth.

Through the years, Madison frequently has had State Primary Winners: 2021 – Kylie Zou, Horizon; 2020 – Canceled due to COVID-19; 2019 – Laya Gowder, Heritage Elementary School; 2018 – Aadi Saxena, Heritage; 2017 – Xavier Bruni, Rainbow Elementary School; 2016 – Geon Park. Rainbow; 2010 – Chen Zou; 2007 – Elora Holland; 2004, 2005 – Dennis Dergunov.

State Representatives Mac McCutcheon and Mike Ball sponsored the event.

MCCL organized the tournament and provided lunch for tournament directors and volunteer coaches. Scott Wilhelm was event photographer.

Madison players exceeded all expectations with their skills (these lists start with first place and then descending order):

* Under 300 division — Arush Batchu, Varun Raval, Tyler Pysh, Jagger Salisbury, Hannah Kuang and tie for fifth place with Seth Fleming, Joanna He and Lucas He.

* Elementary Championship Winners – Three co-champions tied. Applying tie-break rules, trophy winners were Shawn Choi, Sai Kesireddy and Kylie Zou. Followed by Sophia Jerez, Leon Zeng and Ryan Wu.

* Elementary Under 500 Winners — Viraat Satkuri, Margaret Lin, Rhyan Quansah, Shaun McGrath, Will He and fifth-place medals to Abigail Barbre and Tiegan Eastman.

* Junior High Championship Winners — Xavier Bruni in first place and declared Junior High State Champion. Abhiraj Sarkar, Samuel Baskarraj, Bishop Herrington and Danny Seewald. Tied for medals were Eddie Xiao and Indigo Daniels.

* Junior High Under 1000 Winners — Mokun Ojesina, Whitney Wadsworth, Caroline Wang, Nathan Chiu and Anna Ai. Tied for medals were Sarah Peter, Isabelle Park and James Cairns.

* High School Championship Winners — Zachary Snow, Sherwood Dong, Will Fox, Victor Lundy and Steven Pan. Tied for medals were Jonah Tuttle, Joel Friedman, Atindrah Harishankar, Kapil Nathan and Constance Wang.

* High School Under 1300 Winners — Wilson Engeriser, Edward Calinsky, Emily Jiang, Michael Kennedy and Kennedy Gore.

Bill Melvin, ACF Secretary and eight-time State Chess Champion, helped in presenting award trophies and medals.

Madison

‘Spring into fitness’ with ‘bud-dy’ plan at Hogan Family YMCA

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones HOSA gain 21 berths to international conference

Huntsville

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy’s conducts regional search to fill education director position 

Huntsville

Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals orders new trial of Huntsville cop William Darby’s murder verdict

Huntsville

Chargers welcome No. 12 West Georgia for three game series

Huntsville

Battle, Strong respond to Washington Post claims Space Command likely to stay in Colorado

Huntsville

No. 7 UAH back at Charger Park for three-game GSC series Saturday and Sunday

Huntsville

Huntsville approves architectural contract for Hays Farm Central Park

Business

Madison Chamber to host “Hop’n Shop” on Friday and Saturday

Bob Jones High School

Madison chess teams victorious in 2023 State Scholastic Chess Championship

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

EXCLUSIVE: PGA Golf Resort Proposed For Madison County- Large Development Will Feature More Than Golf

Events

Arts Huntsville announces plans for 41st Panoply Arts Festival, set for April 28-30

Arts Huntsville announces plans for 41st Panoply Arts Festival, set for April 28-30

Madison

Huntsville Botanical Garden to provide plant, landscape expertise for new Habitat for Humanity homeowners

Madison

Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee accepting appications

Business

Not just spinning their wheels: Electric bike entrepreneurs wanting to link to Singing River Trail win competition

Huntsville

UAH men’s lacrosse ranked nationally for first time in program history

Madison

UAH softball team voted No. 7 in NFCA national rankings

Bob Jones High School

Triana, Madison schedule Easter egg hunts

Madison

Rocket City Trash Pandas to host “Meet the Team Dinner” on April 5

Business

Madison Chamber to host Best in Business Awards this Friday

Harvest

Landolt named President/CEO of Still Serving Veterans

James Clemens High School

James Clemens alum contends for TV foundation award

Bob Jones High School

Ashwin Prabhakar earns Gorgas Scholarship for state

James Clemens High School

Jets come up short in pitchers’ duel against Father Ryan, win three other weekend games

x