Over the weekend, the local chess team continued its winning streak.
The Blue Comet Chess Team brought home the ninth straight Kansas 4A Class State Championship, and for the first time in over thirty years, they have brought home the All-State Championship, with 18.5 team points in a 149-player field.
“I think this victory was the result of everything this team built over the course of the season. This was not just one good weekend. These kids put together an undefeated regular season and then carried that same level into State,” said Chess Coach Kyle Gregg. “They built confidence by consistently performing at a high level, but they also earned it through preparation, experience, and the way they pushed each other to improve. By the time we reached the State Championships, this was a team that had already proven it could handle expectations, pressure, and big moments.”
Gregg said he is still trying to process what happened.
“I could not be more proud of this team and what they accomplished this season. To go through 11 regular-season tournaments without losing and then finish it off by winning the 4A State Championship and the Kansas Scholastic All-State title says a lot about who they are,” Gregg said. “But beyond the trophies, I am proud of the consistency they showed from the first tournament to the last. Over the course of the season, this team played 684 matches and finished with 420 wins, 48 draws, and 216 losses. That kind of success does not happen by accident.”
Gregg said the success comes from hard work, focus, and continually showing up, ready to compete.
“I am proud not only of what they won, but of how they represented Chanute High School all season long. Like most coaches, I feel like these kids are family. We spend countless hours together all season long, we share meals, late nights and early mornings. They have given me a memory that I am sure to never forget,” Gregg said.
Despite the high-performing season, Gregg said the state competitions were still challenging.
“The greatest challenge was dealing with the pressure that comes with having that kind of season behind you. When you come into State after an undefeated regular season, people know who you are and they are chasing you. Every round matters, every point matters, and there is very little room for mistakes. The kids had to block out that pressure, stay mentally locked in, and keep playing at the level they had set for themselves all year. State is a long and demanding event, and the competition is strong, so the challenge was not just physical fatigue or tough opponents. It was staying focused and composed with a championship on the line.”
Gregg also credited the high level of play to a mix of veteran student leadership, and younger talent on the team. “Team captains Jacob Hurtado and Eric Erbe provided the foundation all season. Their leadership and steady play helped anchor the lineup and gave Chanute the experience it needed in key moments. The Blue Comets also received strong performances throughout the year from junior Nathan Studebaker, freshman Madan Greve, and sophomores Logan McMillan and Ben Blakesley, each of whom played an important role in the team’s success this season.”
The four scores that built the championship according to Greg were: Jacob Hurtado with five points and an eighth place finish; Madan Greve with five points and a 12th place finish; Eric Erbe with four and a half points and a 13th place finish; and Logan McMillan with four points and a 21st place finish.
“Winning the championship feels amazing, it is nice to know that I am part of the best chess team in the state of Kansas. It also feels amazing because it was something that I have always wanted to be a part of,” McMillan said.
Greve said that winning All-State for the first time in 30 years feels awesome, and that the reality of the achievement brings him a rush of pride.
“To me, taking the state trophy home is a monument for the team and I believe it will serve as a mark of pride in our organization, showing the school and the state what we can accomplish as a team,” Greve said.
Erbe said we was glad to have the All-State trophy back in Chanute, and said he felt like the years of dedication to improvement has finally paid off.
“Winning the championship did not feel real, even after we won the tournament. I had a smile on my face that couldn’t be wiped away. It has been a while since Chanute has won the state championship for chess, and knowing I was one of the four scores that helped to bring home the title made me proud,” Hurtado said.
Freshman Kai Steves said she is proud of the work she and her team have put in.
“Many of us, myself included, have improved a lot this year. Our ability to grow and work as a team has really shown with taking home first place.
Overall, I’m proud of all of us and hope to continue to grow as time goes on,” Steves said.
Sophomore Imerson Vaughan said he hopes the team can keep the All-State trophy through his senior year.
“I feel that everyone who played did their part and worked for a reward that was deserved. The team deserved to get first place, not to the fault of any other team, but due to how much everyone worked to achieve such a thing,” Blakesley said. “It makes me proud to be on this team and it makes me proud to call everyone on the team my teammates.”
Sophomore Logan Boeken said it felt cool to see the top four score enough points for the state title.
“It feels great to bring home the All-State Trophy after coming so close to winning it so many times in years past,” Studebaker said.
Gregg said that with Hurtado and Erbe graduating, the Blue Comets will hand next year’s leadership to Studebaker and McMillan, who will serve as captains next season.
“Both were key pieces of this year’s success and will now step into even bigger roles as the Comets look to build on what this team accomplished,” Gregg said. “For now, though, this season belongs to a group that gave Chanute one more championship run to remember and added another proud chapter to the legacy of Blue Comet Chess.”