Chicago Public League Sports Blog

Dynamic Chess Team CPS Duo! Whitney Young 2nd in state 3 years in a row; Lane Tech finish 19th in state!

Benjamin Rincy (so) of Lane Tech finished all-state for Lane Tech with a 5th place state finish on Board 6 to help Lane Tech finish 19th in the state. (Illinois Chess Coaches Assnt. photo)

Whitney Young finished 2nd in the state for 3rd year in a row in chess. Whitney Young finished with a 6-1 record in the state tournament with it's only loss to state champion Urbana University by a close score of 39-29 in the 5th round.

Lane Tech finished in the top 20 for the second year in a row with a 19th place state finish. Their biggest win came in the 6th round when they beat state ranked New Trier 45.5-22.5. Lane avenged a loss to New Trier that prevented Lane from finishing in the top 5 at state last year. (Lane ended up 9th in the state last year). Lane finished 6-2 with losses to Oak Park-River Forest and to 3rd place state finisher Niles North.

Individually, the CPS performed outstanding. Whitney Young led the CPS with 3 all state performers. Ai-yang-Jiang finished 6th on board 2; Drew Johnson finished 5th on Board 3; and sophomore Donovan Harris finished 4th in Board 4. Kelly's Raul Pena finished 7th in Board 8. Kelly's Yong Shou finished 10th on Baord 1.  Lane Tech's Benjamon Rincy finished 5th in Board 6.

Here is how the CPS did as a team at state:

Whitney Young - 2nd
Lane Tech - 19th
Lincoln Park - 30th
Kelly - 62nd
Northside - 65th
Bowen - 107th
Marshall - 122nd

complete results

Whitney Young 2nd - Lane Tech -21st after 3rd round of state chess tournament

Lane Tech city chess team (Illionois chess coaches assnt. photo)

After the 3rd of 7 rounds, Whitney Young and Lane Tech are on course to finish near the top of the state chess tournament. Whitney Young is undefeated at 3-0 after beating Oak Lawn Richards 53-15 in round 1, a very strong Glenbrook South team 68-0 in round 2, and Schuamburg 64-4. Meanwhile, after 3 rounds Lane Tech is 2-1 after beating Maple Park Kaneland 45-23 in round 1, beating a strong Fremd of Palatine team 48-21, and losing to state juggernaut Niles North 57-11.

So after 3 rounds Whitney Young is 2nd due to tie breaker of Individual points. Barrington has 185.5 individual points and Whitney Young has 185.0 individual poitns. So Barrington is just slightly ahead. 11 other teams are undefeated after round 3. All 11 teams still have a shot for the state championship - who usually finish undefeated. Still undfeated and alive for the state championship is defending state champion Stevenson and Niles North who has the best 1-2 punch in the state in Illan Meerovich and freshman Ben Rosen. 

Lane Tech is 21st and still has a shot for a top 15 state finish but their margin for error has been greatly diminished after losing to the powerhouse Niles North team. Lane must finish the last 4 round at least a 3-1 record for them to have the best shot of a top 15 state finish.

After 3 rounds, teh top individual for Lane is junior Paaras Modi in board 1 who is ranked 24th.

The final rounds of the state chess tournament will be on Saturday, Feb 14. We'll find out soon the final results.

Results

Whitney Young Delivers When It Counts, Beats Lane for City Title

   
2009 Chess Team City champions Whitney Young (photo courtesy: http://theicca.blogspot.com/2009/01/chicago-public-league-championships-jan_25.html)

bd 1: Michael Auger
bd 2: Aiyang 'Allen' Jaing
bd 3: Drew Johnson
bd 4: Donovan Harris
left to right, back row
Coach: Paul Kash
bd 5: Kessidy Chan
bd 6: Joyce Nimocks
bd 7: Haoxuan 'Henry' Li
bd 8: Brian Mei
bd 2 alt: Christian Pena
alt: Adrian Maciejewski

Whitney Young Delivers When It Counts, Beats Lane for City
Title

Lane Tech and Whitney Young squared off against each other earlier in the regular chess season during the Chicago Prep Bowl for chess. In that match Lane ended up victorious. But at last Saturday's city chess team championship at Crane High School, Whitney Young took home the big trophy. In Board #1  Lane's Paaras Modi beat Whitney Young chess freshman chess prodigy Michael Auger for the second time this year. But, Whitney Young won boards 2-6 out of the 8 boards to take the city title 45-23 over Lane.

Just to get to the final match versus Whitney Young, Lane had to survive an assualt from Northside College Prep in the third round. Northside's Matthew Ramir upset Modi on Board 1 and Northside freshman newcomer Jayce Feiger did the same in Board #2 when Feiger upended Lane's #2 Patrick Maciejewski. But Lane had enough depth from Boards 3-8 to overcome Northside 40.5-27.5.

Next up for all teams is the IHSA state tournament where both Lane and Whitney Young are looking to make an impact. Whitney Young has been the state runner up for the past two years, while Lane finished 9th in the state this year.

complete results

Chess Team 6th in Prestigious Raider Tournament

The Lane Tech Chess team placed 6th overall in last weekend's Glenbard South Raider Tournament. The Raider Tournament is regarded as one of the top chess tournaments with many state ranked opponents participating including winner Niles North (4th in the state last year), runner up Whitney Young (2nd in the state last year), 3rd place Nequa Valley (15th in the state last year), 4th place Glenbard West (17th in the state last year), and Lane Tech (9th in the state last year).

Here is a note from Lane Tech Coach Steve Parsons:

Hi Neil

The chess team participated in the Glenbard South tournament this past weekend and took 6th place.  Full results are posted at www.chesscoach.org

Thank you for naming the chess team 1 and 2 for 2008 athletic achievements.  Your recognition and support means so much to them.

Steve


The Chess Team will particpate next at the 85th Chicago Public League city championship this Satrurday January 24, 2009 at Crane High School. Expect another gigantic faceoff between Lane and Whitney Young for the championship. Other teams that may be in the mix include Kelly, Lincoln Park, and Northside Prep.

Highlights of 2008 - Lane Tech's 100th Anniversary - Part 6 (Chess Team - 9th in state)

Top 10 Lane Tech Highlights 2008 - #1 - Chess Team 9th in state

#10 - Girls Bowling Upends Morgan Park
#9 - Boys Track wins 3rd straight city championship
#8 - Wrestling Team Wins City Championship - 1st for Lane Tech in 2008
#7 - Boys Swimming Wins City - 6th time in last 7 years
#6 -  Boys Soccer Team Knocks Out Kelly to Win City Championship
#5 - Football Team Surprise: City Championship
#4 - Girls Softball Wins City Championship....Again
#3 - Girls Track Team Wins 5th straight city championship
#2 Parras Modi and Kevin Velazquez All-State in chess with top 10 finishes

#1 Chess Team 9th in state

 

Lane Tech chess team after winning the Glenbard South Tournament

We begin 2009 by stating the #1 highlight of 2008- the 9th place state finish by the chess team. Lane Tech's 2008 team will be remembered by it's incredible 9th place state finish.  If any other sport or activity at Lane finished top 10 in the state it would be incredible news and tehy would be completely happy. What makes the chess team different, is that the 2008 team actually felt disappointed with their result. Many on that team felt that they had enough talent for a top 3 finish. A lot of it has to do with the heightened expectation of chess teams at Lane. You see chess at Lane has a long history of state success. In the last 5 years alone, Lane Tech has finished in the top 15 at state, 4 times (13th in 2004, 8th in 2005, 12th in 2006, 9th in 2008). Lane also has 4 state championships to it's credit as well as a 4th place National Championship finish in 1994 and a 1st place National Championship finish in 1969. See the chess history page.

Congratulations to the 2008 Lane Tech chess team:

Board 1 - Kevin Velazquez (sr)

Board 2 - Paaras Modi (so)

Board 3 - Patrick Maciejewski (jr)

Board 4 Roger Macias (sr)

Board 5 Christian Morales (sr)

Board 6 Chris Zamora (sr)

Board 7 Bruno Gasulla (sr)

Board 8 Jae Lee (jr); Javier Martinez (jr)

Highlights of 2008 - Lane Tech's 100th Anniversary - Part 5 (Girls Track, Modi and Velazquesz in chess)

Top 10 Lane Tech Highlights 2008 - #5, #4

#10 - Girls Bowling Upends Morgan Park
#9 - Boys Track wins 3rd straight city championship
#8 - Wrestling Team Wins City Championship - 1st for Lane Tech in 2008
#7 - Boys Swimming Wins City - 6th time in last 7 years
#6 -  Boys Soccer Team Knocks Out Kelly to Win City Championship
#5 - Football Team Surprise: City Championship
#4 - Girls Softball Wins City Championship....Again

#3 - Girls Track Team Wins 5th straight city championship

 

2008 Girls Track City Championship Team

For most of the 1990's and early 2000's only one team ruled the Public League in girls track, that team was Morgan Park. But 5 years ago, Lane Tech took the reigns from Morgan Park and has won very city championship since then. The biggest name and point scorer for Lane Tech's girls track team has been Morgan Monore. She ended up as one of Lane Tech's and the Public League's best all time hurdlers and finished with the all-time city record in the 300 meter hurdles and finished 3rd in the state in the 300 meter hurdles.

In 2008, the Lane Tech girls track team took it's 5th straight girls track team with 159 points, far ahead of the 111 points from runner up Whitney Young.

Lane was 2nd in the 4x800, 800 meter run (Morgan Monroe), and 400 meter dash (Idia Omiagate). Also, Lane won it's share of events as well. Lane won at least the following events: 100 meter high hurdles (Morgan Monroe), 100 meter dash (Idia Omiagate), and 300 meter hurdles (Morgan Monroe).

But it was the depth and overall team effort from Lane that contributed greatly to it' success. The difference came from a bit lessor known but equally important contributions from athletes that proved the difference. Athletes such as Brenda Gamboa (discus, shot put), Claudia Naykene (4x100 meter relay), Isabelle Carr (3200 meter run), Desiree Murray (sophmore hurdler), Shaheen Kazmi (1600 meter run), etc.

#2 Parras Modi and Kevin Velazquez All-State in chess with top 10 finishes

 

Paaras Modi - 2nd in the state for Lane in chess

 

Kevin Velazquez - 9th in the state (board 1) for Lane in chess

The top 10 highlights for Lane in 2008, have all been about team accomplishments. But the top individual accomplishments came from the chess team, when Kevin Velazquez and Paaras Modi both finished with all-state honors for Lane. Paaras Modi finished 2nd in the state in board 2 and Kevin Velazquez finished 9th in the state in Board 1.It is not too often that a team has the 1-2 punch of two such quality chess players. Modi and Velazquez terrorized opponents all year long and both were almost perfect at the state tournament. Velazquez only loss in the state tournament came to Frankie Swindell of Carmel - who finished first individually. Modi meanwhile dod not lose a single game at the state tournament and only blemish was a draw to 13th place state finisher Yize Leng of Illinois Math and Science Academy.

Modi's and Velazquez finish as #2 on this list because there is no question, no other team or activity at Lane than those two accomplished in one season. Two all state finishes for one team is an incredible accomplishment that Modi and Velazquez were able to do in 2008.

coming up the #1 highlight for Lane Tech in 2008...

Chicago Chess Prep Bowl Complete Results - Lane Wins

complete results of Chicago Prep Bowl

Lane Tech wins it's own tournament by defeating Whitney Young 36.5-31.5 in the final round. Lane junior Paaras Modi upset Michael Auger of Whitney Young. Auger is one of the state's best players. Modi is as well. Also, performing big for Lane was senior Patrick Maciejewski and junior Zak Lukaszc who also went undefeated and beat their Whitney Young opponents.

Place Pts SCHOOL Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 1 4.0 Lane W12,57.0 W4,50.0 W3,40.0 W2,36.5 2 3.0 Whitney Young W8,68.0 W5,57.5 W6,68.0 L1,31.5 3 3.0 Northside W13,62.0 W11,58.0 L1,28.0 W12,68.0 4 3.0 St. Ignatius W14,57.0 L1,18.0 W9,68.0 W6,41.0 5 3.0 Lincoln Park W10,61.0 L2,10.5 W12,56.0 W8,63.0 6 2.0 Kelly W9,68.0 W7,38.0 L2,0.0 L4,27.0 7 2.0 Lincoln Park B W11,35.0 L6,30.0 L8,32.0 W10,35.0 8 2.0 Gordan Tech L2,0.0 W13,38.0 W7,36.0 L5,5.0 9 2.0 Lake View L6,0.0 W14,35.0 L4,0.0 W13,55.0 10 1.0 Lane B L5,7.0 L12,31.0 W11,44.0 L7,33.0 11 1.0 Leo L7,33.0 L3,10.0 L10,24.0 W14,53.0 12 1.0 Bowen L1,11.0 W10,37.0 L5,12.0 L3,0.0 13 1.0 Simeon L3,6.0 L8,30.0 W14,35.0 L9,13.0 14 0.0 Kelly B L4,11.0 L9,33.0 L13,33.0 L11,15.0

Lane Tech Takes Prep Bowl for Chess - defeating Whitney Young

On December 6, 2008 Lane Tech hosted the Chicago Prep Bowl for chess featuring many of the top Chicago Public Schools and Catholic League chess teams. For the second year in a row, Lane Tech came up victorious when they edged out Whitney Young in the final round.

"We defeated Whitney Young in the final round.  Our 1st board Paaras Modi defeated M Auger.  Paaras had him in a strangle hold and Auger lost on time" said Lane Tech chess coach Steve Parsons.

Whitney Young and Lane Tech have always been rivals in most sports, but the rivalry is especially intense in chess, where both programs produce state caliber programs year in and year out. Last year Lane Tech finished 9th in the state whereas Whitney Young finished second at state two years in a row. Both team are in a bit of a rebuilding mode this year after graduating their number one boards from last year. Lane graduated Kevin Velazquez and Whitney graduated Kayin Barclay - both of which finished in the top 10 at state last year.

But both teams have solid number 1 boards again this year. Lane has junior Paaras Modi, 2nd in the state last year in Board #2 and Whitney Young has Michael Auger one of the state's top sophomores.

Complete results coming soon...

Letter to the Publisher: Chess Team History Correction

Hi,

 

Your November 2007 blog has incorrect information.  I was on the 1969 chess team that won the National High School Championship along with David Hasegawa, Larry Frye and Robert Anderson.  My last name is spelled incorrectly as "Ingerson".

 

Charles Ingersol

Lane Tech Chess Team History Page

http://www.lanetechfan.com/Winter%20Sports/Chess/History-Chess%20Team.htm

Illinois Chess Coaches Association Blog Added to Link Page

The Illinois Chess Coaches Association Blog has been added to the link page.