It's been a strange year, for sure. Instead of shaking hands and facing opponents over a board, our players battled in weekly conference games virtually. We're so thankful that the coaches of the Northshore Milwaukee Chess Conference found a way to host competitions online to give players a competitive experience in the 20-21 school year.
The Chargers began conference play shakily, unsure about the virtual platform and whether they wanted to make a run to win as a team. Points for each Thursday meet were cumulative. Conference play started with 14 5-person teams from 9 different schools, and the Chargers finished Meet #1 with one team in fifth place in Division 2. Recognizing their potential, KML players kicked it into gear. They set a goal to win Division 2.
With tough competition, the Chargers remained in 5th place after Meet #2 on February 4. It wasn't until the February 11 meet that they rose in the standings. After Meet #3, the Chargers found they had leapfrogged past all the D2 teams and had entered Division 1, 4th place. They held that spot after the February 18 meet. University School Milwaukee and Brookfield East seemed uncatchable, while the scores remained tight for all the other teams. Another notable achievement at the February 18 meet - the Chargers rounded out another team of 5 players scoring points in meets, and KML now had a "B" team climbing in the standings.
At the Thursday, February 25 meet, the Chargers "A" team pulled into 3rd place in Division 1, and the "B" team was in Division 2 in 7th place. In the four-hour conference finale on Friday, February 26, both KML teams held off the competition and finished D1 3rd and D2 7th. It's the highest finish yet for KML in conference play. (KML's varsity team finished fourth in conference play in 2017 and also in 2018.) This year's final conference standings are posted below.
All of our KML players have encouraged and pushed each other while vying for the five positions on the A Team. KML has a deep and talented team of players who exceeded the goals they set for themselves this year. To God be the glory, who enables us all to use our unique and varied talents.
KML's Varsity A Team:
Ethan Rodell, sophomore - 128 points
Nathanael Himsel, freshman - 122 points
Ryan Wirkkula, junior - 109 points
Christian Klemann, sophomore, 77 points
Ben Willis, junior, 75 points
KML's "B" Team:
Jeff Koepke, sophomore, 44
John Koepke, sophomore, 40
Nate Guevin, sophomore, 35
Zak Schulz, sophomore, 27
Jake Kasten, sophomore, 21
Four other KML players scored points as part of a "mixed school" team that finished 2nd in Division 3: Julian Cook (freshman), Noah Kreis (junior), Matt Hilzley (freshman), Emmi Lechmaier (junior).
The Chargers are now preparing to enter the Wisconsin State Chess Championship, which will also be held virtually, on Sunday, March 21.
NORTHSHORE MILWAUKEE CHESS CONFERENCE
2021 SEASON FINAL STANDINGS:
