Chess team takes home multiple titles

SPARTA — The Sparta Chess Team proved again that they are the best public school program in New Jersey by winning three grade level titles at the NJ Grade Level Championships held at Brookdale College in Lincroft. The effort was led by the sixth grade team who won their fourth consecutive title. Anthony Esposito and Daniel Bacon had three wins each. Christopher Hakkenberg, Keith Johnson and Alex Schimpf had two wins. Kayla Melgarejo, Ryan Ryersen and Tyler Struble also contributed to the effort. Esposito and Bacon also received individual recognition. The darlings of the tournament were the kindergartners. Vaiden Pollard, Uma Kowalski, and Juliette Sanchez outpaced their competition in their first state event. All three also received individual awards. Not to be forgotten, the eighth grade team also emerged victorious. Kyra Schluter and Thomas Wolfe had three wins each and received individual recognition. Travis Kasabri and Devan Dhand were also on the team. Adam Banatt, Austin Kasabri and Ian Clark received individual awards and paced the 10th grade team to a second place finish behind a very strong Highland Park team. AJ Thomas and Colin Casey also participated. The third graders were also second place behind Reilly Kasabri’s two wins and a draw. Christopher Johnson aided the effort while Timothy Lee, playing in his first major competition, also helped. The remaining teams — second, fourth and seventh — all placed in the top five. Evan Johnson received recognition at the fifth grade level. The Sparta Chess Club is a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization and receives no public funding. They are always looking for charitable donors. Please contact the club at 973-726-9405 to contribute.