September 07, 2024
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Joliet Central Chess Team competing at state level Friday and Saturday

The team qualified to compete in the IHSA State Chess Tournament

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Pictured are members of the Joliet Central Chess team in January 2022, from left: Jose Mendeita, Kevin Martinez, Cris Cruz, Matthew Budde, Sergio Zavala, Coach Rodney Coatney, Elijah Rodriguez and Carlos Manzo; and front row, from left: Mya Ballard, Diana Sanchez, Tamia Vaughn and Gio Cruz.

Pictured are members of the Joliet Central Chess team in January 2022, from left: Jose Mendeita, Kevin Martinez, Cris Cruz, Matthew Budde, Sergio Zavala, Coach Rodney Coatney, Elijah Rodriguez and Carlos Manzo; and front row, from left: Mya Ballard, Diana Sanchez, Tamia Vaughn and Gio Cruz. (Photo provided)

The Joliet Central chess team will participate in the Illinois High School Association state chess tournament on Friday and Saturday at the Peoria Civic Center, according to a news release from Joliet Township High School District 204.

The chess team played a series of matches at the Andrew Chess Sectional and finished fifth in the Southwest Prairie Conference, which qualified the team to compete in the IHSA state chess tournament, according to the release.

Aseneth Ruiz and Rodney Coatney Sr. coach the varsity team.

According to Coatney in the release, Sergio Zavala finished second overall in individual conference points, and Matthew Budde and Carlos Manzo finished in the top 30 in the conference.

According to the release, this season’s squad is made up of “determined seniors and excited freshmen.” Team members include Sergio Zavala (two-year captain), Matthew Budde (co-captain), Carlos Manzo, Jose Mendieta, Giovanny Cruz, Tamia Vaughn, Diana Sanchez, Elijah Rodriguez, Mya Ballard and Kevin Martinez.

For information, visit jths.org.

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