Holbrook chess team wins junior high title

ORONO – Local schools did well in Saturday’s Maine State Scholastic Chess Team Tournaments at the University of Maine.

Holbrook Middle School from Holden took first place in the junior high division, championship category, with Deer-Isle Stonington runner-up.

Members of the champion Holbrook team are: Nick Borelli, Colin Campbell, Conor Campbell, Nat Hewett, Frank Kessler, Joe Novak, Ramony Solinger and Jordan Trundy.

Deer Isle-Stonington won the elementary title, championship category, with Reeds Brook in Hampden and All Saints in Bangor tying for second place.

Playing for Reeds Brook were: Fritz Eyerer, Kurt Eyerer, Andrew Deighan, Jonathan Stover, Rogan Winch and Kyle Pratt. Participants from All Saints on the elementary level were: John Frankland, Joseph Moore, Michael Armstrong, Daniel MacDonald, Cara Rudnicki and Paul Rudnicki.

Top unrated players were Emmitt Harrity and Max Winter, Orono; and Gary Desaultels, Toddy Pond, Belfast. Top girl awards were presented to Julianna Alex, Stillwater Montessori; Cara Rudnicki, All Saints; and Kelli Hutchinson, Airline School, Aurora.

Local pupils who were among the top finishers in the elementary section were: Per Claeson, Mary Snow School, Bangor; Joseph Moore, All Saints; Benjamin Claeson, Abraham Lincoln School, Bangor; and Fritz Eyerer, Reeds Brook.

In the junior high section, top finishers included: Ray Solinger, Jordan Trundy, Colin Campbell, Joe Novak, Holbrook School; Zening Chen, Kevin Townsend, Emmett Harrity, Orono; Cullen Edes, Julianna Alex, Stillwater Montessori; and Murray Bridges, Airline School.

In the novice category, for players new to state competition, Houlton placed first, and Deer Isle-Stonington was second among junior high teams. Perry Elementary School was the top novice elementary team, with Holden Elementary School playing second.

In addition to those already named, local schools participating were: William S. Cohen School, Bangor; Downeast School, Bangor; Eddington School; and Leonard Middle School, Old Town.

The state tournament for high school teams will be held March 9 at Hilltop Commons, University of Maine, and the individual tournaments on March 23 there.

Those invited to the March 23 event based on their performance Saturday include: Per Claeson, Joseph Moore, Benjamin Claeson, Fritz Eyerer, Raymond Solinger, Jordan Trundy, Zening Chen, Kevin Townsend, Cullen Edes, Colin Campbell, Julianna Alex, Joe Novak, Murray Bridges, Emmett Harrity and Max Winter.