Chess tourney largest in years

March 3, 2013

LUDINGTON – The 58th Annual Ludington Optimist Youth Chess Tournament was held at Ludington High School on Saturday, March 2. It is the longest-running scholastic tournament in the State. Ninety-nine students from throughout Michigan played five chess games to determine the winners in four divisions.

This was the largest turnout in the history of the tournament, breaking the record of 83 in 2002, said event chairman Tracy Thompson.

Ninth grader David Meyer from Traverse City swept undefeated through the 26 players in the High School Division for first place. Two Ludington-area students took home trophies. Josh Meisenheimer from Ludington was the victor in a playoff match for third place in the Upper Elementary Division. There were 38 participants in this division. Josh is in fifth grade at Foster Elementary School. Matthew Snyder from Ludington took second place in the Lower Elementary Division. Matthew is a third grader at Foster.

 

The winners in the four divisions were:

High School Division (grades 9-12):

1st: David Meyer, 14, Traverse City

2nd: Mario Arnson, 17, Muskegon

3rd: Matthew Franklin, 15, Traverse City

4th: Hoang Nguyen, 16, Muskegon

 

Middle School Division (grades 6-8):

1st: Joshua VanderMeulen, 14, Spring Lake

2nd: Isaac Franklin, 12, Traverse City

3rd: Keith Takens, 13, East Grand Rapids

4th: Bradin Maison, 12, Traverse City

 

Upper Elementary Division (grades 4-5):

1st: Daniel Franklin, 10, Traverse City

2nd: Kent Colbrunn, 11, Zeeland

3rd: Josh Meisenheimer, 10, Ludington

4th: Callen Carrier, 10, Spring Lake

 

Lower Elementary Division (grades K-3)

1st: Leonard Chown, 9, Traverse City

2nd: Matthew Snyder, 8, Ludington

3rd: Winfield Henderson, 7, Holland

4th: Carson Hahn, 6, Grandville

The 2013 Optimist Youth Chess Tournament was sponsored by the Ludington Optimists. It was organized by Tracy Thompson, assisted by Tom Walsh, Greg Bailey, Pete Meyer, Andy Catlin and Chris Courtright. The Ludington Optimists wish to thank Ludington High School for the use of the cafeteria, and the Carrom Company for the donation of chess boards and great games for the raffle.

Eats