Sisters students take chess trophy

Last Saturday, Redmond High School hosted the Chess for Success Regional Tournament. Sisters Middle School was one of many schools to participate in the tournament.

They didn't disappoint: the team took the trophy for Best Team of Four or More in the middle school category. Jack Weeks led the 12 kids, ranging from fifth to eighth graders, though he took no credit for their success. When congratulated, Weeks said, "It's not me, it's all them. They put in all the hard work."

Each member of the team was faced with five matches, all with students from different schools. Though many of the students were daunted by the level of competition, Adam Novotny and Canyon O'Neil pressed past the status quo, blasting away the competition with a flawless record on both of their scorecards.

Thanks to their achievements, Novotny and O'Neal both received a trophy commemorating their victories, Adam for seventh grade and Canyon for eighth grade.

O'Neal returns to the state tournament for a second time, having competed there last year.

With the help of eight other teammates, Sisters Middle School won the right to participate in the state tournament. Along with Evan Rickards and Paul Fullhart, Novotny and O'Neal will represent the chess team - as well as Central Oregon itself - at state on March 12; Novotny and O'Neal will play for their titles on the following day, March 13.

The tournament is to be held at the convention center in Portland.