The Bayside Academy chess team continued its winning streak this past weekend, capturing the High School U1300 Team Championship at the State Scholastic Chess Championship Tournament in Huntsville for the fourth straight year.

Seven Admirals traveled to the tournament, with five competing in the High School U1300 Division. Despite facing five opponents rated higher than any Bayside player, the team prevailed. The average Bayside rating was 851, while the four top-rated players in the division exceeded 1000, including a 1200-rated top seed from Bob Jones High School.

Bayside’s roster included senior captain Evan Stafford, senior Colt Hancock, freshman Elias Blossom, sophomore Burke Ramagosa, and freshman Don Chen. Team scores were calculated from the four highest scorers over five rounds of play.

The highlight came in the first round when Stafford defeated the top-seeded 1200-rated player. Blossom led the team individually, finishing with four wins and one loss. Bayside amassed nine points overall despite the stiff competition, while no other team entered more than two players.

In addition to the high school team, Bayside entered two middle school players in the U1100 division. Seventh-grader Jeremy Ou and eighth-grader Luke Freeman faced 49 competitors, with Jeremy finishing the day with three wins and two losses.

Senior Colt Hancock has now participated in all four of Bayside’s consecutive state championships, capping a notable high school career.

Coach Paul Nager will lead four high school players to Chicago for the High School Nationals Tournament soon.