KML Varsity Chess Team Places 2nd in Final League Tournament

KML Charger Chess captured second place in the season-ending North Shore Milwaukee Chess League Tournament, just behind University School Milwaukee who earned its 9th straight league championship. The tournament punctuates five months of league play and provides valuable preparation for the state tournament, March 21-22 in Madison, where KML will defend its Division 1 state title.

Charger varsity team players include: Board 1 Dylan Hanson, Board 2 Riley Lechmaier, Board 3 Evan Semfleben, Board 4 Zachary Kesting.

Two other KML teams competed to gain experience for future seasons. 

KML Chess meets regularly between October and March, offering opportunities to learn, compete, and socialize. The Chargers are coached by Ron Klemann and the KML Chess program advisors are Angie Molkentin and Ben Walter. 

KML Chess hosts its popular summer chess camp June 8-11, 2026. Keep up with KML Chess news here and learn more about all KML summer camps here.

KML Varsity Chess left to right: Jackson Agenten (alternate), Riley Lechmaier (Board 2), Dylan Hanson (Board 1), Evan Senfleben (Board 3), Zachary Kesting (Board 4).

KML 2nd Team left to right: Mason Westin (Board 1), Andrew Meyer (Board 2), Logan Golner (Board 3), James Balza (Board 4).

KML 3rd Team left to right: Delilah Kreuser (Board 4), Joey Pedersen (Board 3), Alexis Watters (Board 2), Ivan Westin (Board 1).

Coach Klemann helps players between rounds.

KML Teams Earn Experience and Hardware at WI Gradelevel Tournament

KML Chess players earned valuable experience at the Wisconsin Gradelevel Tournament held Saturday, February 28 at UW-Milwaukee. The annual tournament included nearly 400 players from Kindergarten to high school competing by grade level. Every player contributed to the team's success, and several players earned individual honors.

KML's 9th grade team included James Balza, Mason Westin, and Delilah Kreuser. The team earned third place and James Balza placed 10th overall in the section with 3 wins in 5 rounds.

KML's 10th-12th grade team included Dylan Hanson, Evan Senfleben, and Alexis Watters. The team earned 2nd place and Dylan Hanson placed third overall in the section with 4 wins in 5 rounds.

7th grader Ivan Westin from Good Shepherd, West Bend, placed 9th in his section with 3 wins and a draw in 5 rounds.

The Chargers are preparing for the state tournament March 21-22 in Madison, where they will defend last year's Division 1 state title.

KML Chess Players at the WI Gradelevel Tournament

394 K-12 players competed in five rounds

The sportsmanship of chess

Helping teammates between rounds

KML players with team and individual awards

KML Federation Schools Chess Opportunity

 Chess players in KML Federation schools have an opportunity to join the KML Chess Team at the Wisconsin Gradelevel Championships Chess Tournament on Saturday, February 28 at the University of Wiscosnin-Milwaukee Student Union.

The KML Chess Team will attend and play in the high school division. Students from KML Federation gradeschools may register for the tournament and compete against players at their gradelevel. The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation awards prizes for individuals and school teams at this tournament. It's a great opportunity for young players to experience competition and hang out with other chess players, including the KML high school chess team at the event.

Parents of grade school students must register their players as well as provide transportation and supervision on site during the event. Carpooling and cooperation with KML Chess may be an option. Contact KML Chess Advisor Angie Molkentin with questions by using this link, which also contains sign-up information. Early bird sign-up deadline is Friday, February 13, with entry fees increasing after that date.

12 Players Gain Experience at the Wisconsin Junior Open

Three KML players battled in the Open section of the Wisconsin Junior Open, completing five rounds in two days. 

• Junior Zachary Kesting won two games and won the award for best of the under 800 rated players in the section.
• Junior Dylan Hanson won three games and won the award for best of the C rating class (players rated 1400-1599). Dylan's quality wins propelled him from a rating of 1488 at the start of the tournament to 1579 post-tournament.
• Seventh grader Ivan Westin played in the K-8 section, won three games and achieved best of all the unrated players in the section.

Eight additional players gained competitive experience in the Reserve section of the tournament. After each round, players helped each other by reviewing games and finding areas for improvement.

Special thanks to KML Chess Alumni Carson Reik who helped coach our players while also playing in the Veteran's section of the tournament.

2025-26 KML Chess Season Begins Wednesday, October 15

Join us as we defend our

Division 1 State Title!

Our season runs from October - March

Meet Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5

in the 2nd floor library

First meeting is Wednesday, October 15

Watch your KML email for announcements.

To make sure you're on the mailing list, sign up here.

KML Chess Camp 2025

 Two Sessions, Exponential Learning!

2024-25 End of Season Awards

It's been an incredible season of growth and success in competition. We praise God for the wonderful talents and contributions of our players. All glory to the King for His blessings.

KML CHESS LADDER WINNERS

1. Carson Reik

2. Dylan Hanson

3. Evan Senfleben

4. Sawyer Yogerst

5. Zachary Kesting

6. Andrew Meyer

7. Riley Lechmaier

8. David Dorn

9. Will Kesting

10. Luke Wurtz

Biggest Mover: David Dorn

Best Freshman: Andrew Meyer

TEAM LETTER WINNERS

Numerals:

• Caleb Durr

JV Letter:

• Alexis Watters

• Andrew Meyer

• Sophie Poradek

• Riley Lechmaier

• David Dorn

Varsity Letter:

• Dylan Hanson

• Zachary Kesting

• Carson Reik

• Sawyer Yogerst

• Will Kesting

• Kyle Sayvongsa

• Joey Pedersen

• Evan Senfleben

• Luke Wurtz

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Alexis Watters

WORKHORSE AWARD

Kyle Sayavongsa

DILIGENCE AWARD

Dylan Hanson

QUEEN AWARD

Sophie Poradek

MVP (King) AWARD

Carson Reik

SENIOR LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Carson Reik

Sawyer Yogerst

COACH

Ron Klemann

ADVISORS

Angie Molkentin

Ben Walter