04.29.15 Under the coaching of Cameron Wendell, the Blue Hill Consolidated School Chess Team took second place in the K-8 U750 section of the Junior High School Scholastic Chess Championships help on April 24-26 in Louisville, Kentucky. Congratulations to the team for representing the state in such stellar fashion! Here is the press release that appeared in the Ellsworth American on April 28th.

Thanks to Dawn Stewart for contributing to this report.

USCF crosstable of this event

Ross Stewart with individual trophy

Evan and Cole with a wax figure of KFC founder Colonel Sanders

Sam with Kentucky Derby Princesses

Sam, Evan, Ross, Cam, and Cole with Kentucky Derby Princesses

BLUE HILL -- Blue Hill Consolidated School's chess team took second place at the National K-9 Junior High Scholastic Chess Championships held April 24-26 in Louisville, Ky.

The team tied for second place, with 31 teams competing from across the country, in the K-8 Under 750 Division.

The BHCS chess team is very young, formed in the 2013-2014 academic year, and became the Maine State Scholastic Chess Champions both last year in the K-6 Division and this year in the K-8 Division.

The 10-member team endured seven rounds at nationals, each lasting up to four hours, over a three-day tournament that began on Friday and ended Sunday evening.

Leading the way was Ross Stewart with six points, Sam Parrott with five points, Evan Chapman with five points, and Cole Stewart with four points.

Grayson Eaton and Cameron Stewart each earned 3.5 points. Parker Allen earned three points, and Aidan Stearns had two points.

Boosting the team also with wins were newcomers Quinn Stabler and Liam Webb. The strong team effort ensured the second place award.

The team trophy was too big for the flight home and had to be shipped to the school.

Individual trophies were also awarded to players who performed well at the tournament.

Ross Stewart tied for second place nationally, and Evan Chapman and Sam Parrott each tied for 20th place nationally, from among 183 competitors in the division.

Coach Cameron Wendell led the team, which met weekly during winter and spring at chess practice as well as having intense preparation before the tournament and diligent review with each player at every round at nationals.

Wendell is a high school student at Deer Isle-Stonington High School and a former national chess champion.

Nell Herrmann, faculty advisor and BHCS science teacher, was instrumental in the team's preparation and chaperoned the students traveling to Louisville.

A total group of 19 students and adults traveled from Blue Hill to the event, along with two grandparents of one of the players, who traveled four and a half hours from Illinois.

The BHCS team would like to thank everyone in the community for their generous funding contributions and for everyone's time and dedication to help get this group of students to Louisville.