KML Chess: Charger Chess Wins 2nd Division 2 State Championship and Finishes 2nd Overall at State Tournament

KML Chess won its 2nd straight Division 2 state championship this past weekend, finishing ahead of 8 other Division 2 teams. In addition, KML finished 2nd overall at the state tournament, out-scoring 6 Division 1 teams en route to 2nd place in the field of 26. The Chargers’ only loss was to the top seeded Division 1 team, University School Milwaukee, winner of the D1 and overall state championship.

Going into the contest, the Chargers expected to contend in Division 1 by rating. (US Chess ratings are earned during the year by performance in rated events.) Enough higher rated teams entered at state this year, and by tournament time the Chargers found themselves bumped from the last seed in Division 1 to the 1st seed in Division 2 and the 9th seed overall in the 26-team field.

The 26 teams were divided into 3 divisions by rating, although the first two rounds give all teams the opportunity to climb in the standings and challenge for the overall championship, regardless of division. In Round 1, the Chargers beat a quality Division 1 Brookfield East team that was seeded #2 overall. In Round 2, the Chargers beat Division 1 Wauwatosa West. In Round 3, KML found themselves paired against the top seeded USM. It was an opportunity. In that match, KML scored excellent tiebreaker points with Senior Matthew Hilzley’s win on Board 3.

Winning three of four rounds earned KML the Division 2 championship. Their quality wins against D1 teams created excellent tiebreakers and contributed to KML’s 2nd place finish overall.

Individually, Junior Carson Reik won 3 of his 4 games on Board 1 and earned the Division 2 Board 1 Champion title. Junior Sawyer Yogerst also won 3 of 4 on Board 2. Hilzley contributed a clutch win and a draw, and Freshman Dylan Hanson won 2 of 4 on Board 4.

KML also fielded a second team that competed in Division 3 by rating. That team finished 5th out of 9 teams in Division 3 and 18th of 26 overall. Leading the second team was Senior Nathanael Himsel who was nearly perfect on Board 1 through 4 rounds, scoring 3 wins and a draw. He earned Division 3 Board 1 Champion honors.

With this year’s accomplishments, the Chargers improved on their 2023 state tournament performance, when they won the Division 2 state title and finished 8th overall in that year’s field of 30 teams. While the Chargers entered the 2024 contest believing they could win again in Division 2, they set their sights on climbing in the overall standings and winning against Division 1 teams. Their 2nd place overall finish fulfilled those hopes and surpassed anyone’s expectations of them—except their own. They were ready for the challenge. It was the highest any KML team has placed in the state chess tournament since KML's program began in 2013.

Team depth and determination are necessary to win in a team event at this level, and the Chargers have both of those qualities. All glory to God who graciously gives us these gifts and the opportunities to use them.

KML A Team:
Board 1 Carson Reik

Board 2 Sawyer Yogerst

Board 3 Matthew Hilzley

Board 4 Dylan Hanson

KML B Team:
Board 1 Nathanael Himsel

Board 2 Will Kesting

Board 3 Natalie Nolte

Board 4 Kyle Sayavongsa

KML JV:
Joey Pedersen

Zachary Kesting

Coaches:
Mr. Ron Klemann
Mr. Ben Walter

Advisor:
Angie Molkentin