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

KML Chess Wins Division 1 State Title

The KML Chess team earned a score of 3.5 in four rounds to win the Division 1 state title this weekend at the 2025 Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Championship. The Chargers were seeded 8th of 12 teams in the division going into the tournament. 

The Chargers had their eyes on the D1 prize, having won Division 2 state championships in 2023 and 2024. The team could have played as the top seed in Division 2, and chose to test their strength against the Division 1 teams.

KML started with a draw in Round 1 against last year's D1 champs, University School Milwaukee, then moved on to defeat Wisconsin Lutheran, Muskego, and the formidable Chesterton Academy Green Bay to win the championship outright. 

Board 1 Carson Reik (senior) led the team with three wins and a draw in four rounds. Board 2 Dylan Hanson (sophomore), Board 3 Sawyer Yogerst (senior), and Board 4 Kyle Sayovongsa (senior) each finished with three wins.

The Charger JV team finished fifth of 12 teams in the JV section, with contributions from Joey Pedersen, Sophie Poradek, Alexis Watters, and David Dorn.

For the next year, the Chargers will take care of the state chess traveling cup, which lists the names of winners dating back to 1970. Find that list here.

The KML Chess motto is, "All glory to the King!" That is especially true this year, as we celebrate the talents of these players and their determination to play through whatever challenges they faced along the way. Whether celebrating accomplishments or fighting through challenges - on the board and in life - we know Jesus Christ is beside us, and in the end He reigns above all. May all of our players take that confidence with them next season or whatever is next for them in life.

Varsity Division 1

Junior Varsity

Both teams with Advisor Ben Walter, Advisor Angie Molkentin, Coach Ron Klemann

Round 4 vs. Chesterton Academy

Round 2 vs. Wisconsin Lutheran

Going over games between rounds.

Carson under pressure in the final round.

2025 Division 1 Teams Final Standings

2025 Division 2 Teams Final Standings