WCS Chess Teams Qualify For State
WARSAW — It has been an exciting season thus far for Warsaw Community School Corporation chess clubs. Teams from Madison, Washington, Eisenhower and Lincoln elementary schools, as well as Edgewood Middle School, recently battled their wits against opponents at the Regional Chess Tournament in Goshen on Saturday, Feb. 27.
In the third and under division, Eisenhower’s “A” team placed second; Lincoln’s “A” team placed third; and Washington’s “B” team fourth. Washington’s “A” team placed 10th, Madison’s “A” team placed 13th, Madison’s “B” team placed 16th and Lincoln’s “B” team placed 18th.
In the sixth grade and under division, Washington’s “A” team placed first; Madison’s “A” team placed third; Washington’s “B” team placed sixth; Madison’s “B” team placed eighth; and Lincoln’s “A” team ranked ninth. All five teams qualified for state. Sacred Heart also participated in the division and placed 17th.
In the eighth and under division, Edgewood’s “A” team went undefeated but placed second due to tiebreaks (there were two undefeated teams). Edgewood’s “B” team placed third and will be attending the state competition as well.
“This is Lincoln’s first year to really amp up our Chess Team,” explained Lincoln Coach Mel Oliver. “Myself and the other coaches are so excited to see how the kids grow from this tournament experience. Ultimately it is about having fun. And the Lions are having a blast”
Though the teams tasted victory at the competition, members of the team and coaches, Jay Bolduc and Oliver will not be resting on their laurels. Instead, the teams are beginning preparation to check opponents at a state level in march.
“I’m pleased with the effort from all of the chess teams. It is the first time that all of the teams from Washington and Madison who participated at regional have qualified for state,” noted Bolduc. “It is also the highest number of teams (12) from Warsaw that have qualified for state. We had teams qualify from Madison, Washington, Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Edgewood.
Qualifying chess teams will travel to Hammond on Saturday, March 19, to compete in the state competition. The clubs have been led by the tutelage of Jay Bolduc (Washington and Madison); Olivia Eppley and Mel Oliver (Lincoln); Sam Wysong (Edgewood); Shirley Fleming and Henry Zehr (Eisenhower); as well as numerous parent volunteers.