HMS team takes 12th in state

Facing 26 other schools, the Hillsboro High School chess team took second in Class 3A competition and placed 5th overall out of all the high school teams in all the classes Saturday at the state chess tournament at Wichita North High School.

The middle school chess team came in 12th in the division, and seven out of eight players received medals.

Hillsboro chess guild sponsor Leah Rose said the high school team took second among 3A competition. The middle school team’s 12th-place finish was also notable because they only had three players competing.

Individually, high school chess players Mathew Denholm took 6th with a 5-1 tournament record; Jordan Fryhover came in 28th at 4-2; Franklin Jost was 33rd at 4-2; and Kalen Moss was 69th at 3-3.

Individually, on the middle school team Jacob Denholm came in 14th place at 5-1; Abby Fryhover was 23rd at 4-2; and Kayla Gunn fell just short of medaling at 3-3.

Zachary Denholm also competed for Hillsboro in the K-5 division. He placed 43rd with a 3-3 tournament record.

Regulations allow for younger chess players to compete against older chess players.