Chess Students Win At Star City Challenge

On Nov. 19, 13 students from Waddell Elementary, Lylburn Downing Middle, and Rockbridge County High schools participated in the Star City Challenge regional chess tournament, sponsored by the Roanoke City Schools.

Representing Waddell, the K-5 division team (Alex Eastwood, Theo Rahl, Jhossel Soriano and Jhostyn Soriano) finished first in a competitive field of four teams, edging out the second-place team by a single point.

Alex Eastwood led the way with a perfect score of 4 points, finishing first overall. Jhossell Soriano and Theo Rahl finished in second and sixth place, respectively. In addition, Harry Loughhead, participating in his first tournament ever, won all four of his games to finish in first in the Beginners division.

Representing LDMS, six students took first place out of a field of three teams in the K-8 division. Jonathan and Rossell Soriano led the way, earning 3 out of 4 possible points and finishing in second and third, respectively. The other LDMS players all finished in the top 10, including Sammy Eastwood, fourth; Edison Rahl, fifth; Elliott Allen, sixth; and Graham Shester, eighth.

Representing RCHS, two students, Liam Courtney Collins and Chase Lowney, finished in third place and seventh place in the Open section, in which high school students, college students, and adults participate.