BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT — The Camas Prairie Chess Club wrapped up a very successful year at the Washington State Elementary Chess Championships.

Six local students qualified for end of year meet held in Vancouver on April 20.

Out of the six qualifying students, five were able to attend.

Individual Results:

-Elk Plain School of Choice’s Ryan Clark won four out of five games and placed 11th out of 140 2nd graders in the state competition.

-Camas Prairie’s Marc McNamee (5th grade), played in his fourth consecutive state championship tournament and won three games.

-Evergreen’s Antonio Perez (4th grade) won three games

-North Star’s Colby Kolowinski (5th grade) won two games

-Camas Prairie’s Jude Madakor (5th grade) won one game

Team results:

-Despite only having four players playing in the Grade 4-6 division (scores are based on the top 5 players), the Camas Prairie Chess team placed 33rd in the state out of a total of 158 teams! This was the club’s best team showing in its 10-year history.

-Camas Prairie also had the second bert showing of all public elementary schools in District , which encompasses every school west of the Cascade Mountains and south of King County.

Club coach John Spafford said, “I am extremely proud of all of our chess club kids and am looking forward to continuing our winning tradition next year!”