Sterling chess team looks to improve at state tourney

STERLING – Sterling’s fledgling chess team is hoping to make its next big play as a program this weekend.

The team, in just its second season, is one of about 138 schools that will travel to the Peoria Civic Center for Friday and Saturday’s state tournament.

Coach Joel Penne is taking 11 of his 15 players. The only other Sauk Valley-area school competing is Byron.

“I’ve never, ever had a group of kids who worked this hard and got as good as they have so fast,” Penne said. “That kind of improvement, to me, is phenomenal.”

To qualify for the state tournament, teams must play at least 6 dual matches and in at least one tournament. Sterling far exceeded that requirement, playing 31 matches and in three team tournaments. The school even hosted its first tournament in November.

And Sterling didn’t just compete more often – the team won more often, 18 of 31 matches. Several members have won medals.

Last year, Penne said, while record-keeping wasn’t meticulous, the team “didn’t win a lot.”

The team is planning to improve upon its state finish last year, which was 127th out of 128 teams.

Senior Jeremiah Miller is proud of the team’s improvement.

“Our skill level has increased at such a rapid pace, it’s surprising,” he said.

Penne said the team’s future is bright because many strong players will return next year.

“Our team’s just going to get better each year,” senior Sterling Brickman said.

According to the Illinois High School Association pairings, Sterling is ranked 76th in the field. Penne said the team is likely to win at least three of its seven matches.

After the tournament and during the offseason, Penne wants the team to branch out and teach chess to younger students. The team already has visited Challand Middle and Lincoln Elementary schools several times, he said.

Penne also wants to take the team to nursing homes and homeless shelters.

“We’re trying to develop the whole student,” he said.

Meet the team

The following members of Sterling High School’s chess team will compete Friday and Saturday in the state tournament in Peoria: