2021-22 End of Season Awards for KML Chess

 OVERVIEW OF AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

• Participation: Players are designated as either “Club” or “Team” members. 

• The TEAM members met attendance criteria and competed for KML

• CLUB members did not compete and are listed as members if they met attendance criteria 

• Varsity and JV Letters: According to our criteria and KML's criteria for earning letters.

• Team and league play accomplishments

• Special recognition

TEAM MEMBERS

• Julian Cook

• Ethan Eernisse

• Nathan Guevin

• Casey Heder

• Matt Hilzley

• Nathanael Himsel

• Ian Janz

• Christian Klemann

• Noah Kreis

• Grant Kruse

• Carson Reik

• Zachery Schulz

• Todd Tischer

• Ryan Wirkkula

• Sawyer Yogerst

CLUB MEMBERS

• Mason Beeler

• Creighton Bublitz

• Rachel Etta

• Ethan Heder

• Jake Kasten

• Jeff Koepke

• John Koepke

• Emmi Lechmaier

• Calaen Martin

• Logan O’dell

• Bram Reimer

• Brian Retzlaff

• Andrew Schulz

• John Stern

• Simeon Swiertz

• Murray Westphal

• Ben Willis

ADVISORS/COACHES

• Angie Molkentin, Advisor

• Ron Klemann, Coach

• Alumni joined us to help out

KML Chess Ladder Winners

10. Casey Heder

9. Grant Kruse

8. Christian Klemann

7. Nathanael Himsel

6. Zak Schulz

5. Nathan Guevin

4. Sawyer Yogerst

3. Matt Hilzley

2. Carson Reik

1. Ryan Wirkkula

Biggest Mover: Grant Kruse

Letter Winners (must meet KML and KML Chess criteria)

• Ethan Eernisse - JVL

• Todd Tischer - JVL

• Nathan Guevin – Varsity

• Matt Hilzley – Varsity 

• Nathanael Himsel – Varsity 

• Christian Klemann – Varsity 

• Carson Reik – Varsity 

• Zak Schulz - Varsity

• Ryan Wirkkula – Varsity 

• Sawyer Yogerst – Varsity

Milwaukee Chess League Recognition

• Carson Reik - Top Player in league

• Ryan Wirkkula - #2 Player in league

• Nathanael Himsel - #5 Player in league

    Other KML Players in the Top 100 (there were 400 players in the league this season)

• Ethan Rodell

• Sawyer Yogerst

• Noah Kreis

• Matt Hilzley

• Ethan Eernisse

• John Koepke

• Christian Klemann

• Wyatt Michaels

Milwaukee City Championships Players

Team was seeded 6th going into the Milwaukee City Championships and came home with 6th place.

Board 1: Carson Reik

Board 2: Sawyer Yogerst

Board 3: Zak Schulz

Board 4: Nathanael Himsel

Board 5: Matt Hilzley

State Tournament Players

SPECIAL AWARDS:

KML Chess with best finish yet at 2022 WI State Chess Championships

The 2020 state meet was canceled a week before it was to happen. The 2021 state meet was virtual. In 2022, we had an opportunity to be back in action over-the-board. And it was great to be back. 

KML Varsity A team finished in third place in Division 2 at the WI State Chess Championships at UW-Oshkosh this weekend. The team includes: Board 1 Carson Reik, Board 2 Ryan Wirkkula, Board 3 Nate Guevin, Board 4 Sawyer Yogerst, Board 5 Nathanael Himsel. Carson Reik and Ryan Wirkkula each medaled with 3 wins in five rounds. This was the best finish for KML since 2018 when the team finished 5th in Division 2.

KML's Varsity B finished 4th in Division 3. Board 1 Matt Hilzley was undefeated in 5 rounds and was the D3 Board 1 State Champion. Zachery Schulz played Board 2 and his three wins were enough to earn D3 Board 2 State Champion. Board 3 Ian Janz, Board 4 Todd Tischer, and Board 5 Casey Heder all contributed to the team accomplishments. 

Julian Cook played competitively for the first time in the Junior Varsity section. 

This team could not have achieved what they did without pushing each other to get better. The camaraderie I saw in this team event was amazing. Thank you for the privilege of working with each and every one of you! 

While we bid farewell to senior Ryan Wirkkula, the future of KML Chess is bright. Ryan led this team well for four years. We're thankful for your leadership, Ryan! 

Angie Molkentin 

KML Chess Advisor

Varsity A Team beginning a round, wishing opponent good luck.

Matt and Zak finishing their games in Round 5 - Matt with a nice checkmate to go undefeated in 5 rounds.

Zak's teammates pulling for him as he finishes Round 5. This win meant he was D3 Board 2 state champ.

Getting some fresh air on the UW-Oshkosh campus.

KML Varsity A finishes 3rd in Division 2.

KML sent 11 players to the state tournament.

KML Varsity B finishes 4th in Division 3.

Individual awards: Carson Reik and Ryan Wirkkula medaled for achieving 3 wins. Matt Hilzley was the best of all D3 Board 1 players, winning all five of his rounds and was D3 Board 1 State Champion. Zak Schulz was the best of all D3 Board 2 players, winning 3 of his 5 rounds.

Julian Cook played competitively for the first time in the junior varsity section.

Varsity A before a round.

Silently cheering on Ryan as he finishes his Round 4 game.