Checkmate! Solon Chess Teams Dominate At Ohio Tournament

Editor's Note: This article was provided by Solon Schools.

Solon students brought home significant trophy hardware from the Ohio State Grade Level Chess Championships held at the University of Akron this month. No other school district won more team trophies, individual trophies or team championships, according to Solon’s coach Tony Dunlap.

The Solon High School freshman division team won the title as Ninth Grade State Champions.  Students on the championship ninth grade team are Joel Jaffe, Daniel Guo, Lawrence Liu, John Xiang, Alan Stepanski and Antony Styrt. Daniel, Lawrence and John all finished with 4 out of 5 points and tied for second place while Joel Jaffe earned the Ninth Grade Individual Ohio State Championship with a score of 4.5 out of 5 points. Together, the trio of Joel, Daniel and Lawrence has captured three consecutive team state championships.

“These three student chess players won the state championship in 2010 as seventh graders and were co-state champs last year as eighth graders,” said Coach Dunlap. “Now to win again as a ninth grade team is just an outstanding accomplishment.”

Other Solon High School competitors also scored well at the championships. In the 12th grade division, Reid Fu finished in a three-way tie for second place individually with a score of 4 out of 5 points.  In the 11th grade division, Shara Subramanian was one of five students earning second place individual honors with a score of 4 out of 5 points.

Roxbury Elementary won first place in the place in the first grade division and now holds the title as First Grade State Champions. Students on the championship first grade team are Alicia Harper and Puran Manikantah. 

Orchard Middle School’s team won first place in the sixth grade division and is now the Sixth Grade State Champion. Students on the championship sixth grade team are Alexander Barto, Zachary Barto, Alan Liu, Malcolm Golias and Roger Poduska.  Individually, Alan Liu finished in second place.

The Solon Middle School team earned a third place finish in the eighth grade division. Students on the eighth grade team are Ian Golias, Joey Simone and Colin Rizer. 

Congratulations Comets!