MHS and Northwest Chess teams place first at MSCA State Championships

Saturday, March 9, 2024 | Starkville, MS

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The Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association (MSCA) held its annual State Championship Cup on Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Starkville, Mississippi. This event is considered the organization’s largest and most representative tournament for chess in the state of Mississippi. Team awards were given out for the schools that represented K-3 (Lower Elementary), K-5 (Upper Elementary), K-8 (Middle School), and K-12 (High School). Individual awards were also given for unrated play, under 700 rating, under 1200 rating, and open (1201 and above). Approximately twenty-five teams, representing schools across the state participated in the event.

This is the second consecutive year MPSD has sent students to this tournament. Meridian High School, coached by Scott Farmer and assisted by James Jones, brought six students and Northwest Middle School, coached by Daniel Roberts, brought four. All students participated in the Under 700 category. 

For Northwest Middle School, Mitchell Pigford, brought home an individual award for best Under 400 performance. In the team competition, Northwest Middle School won first place in K-8.

Meridian High School was also represented in individual awards. Eilecia Brown picked up an award for best Under 400 performance. In Under 700, Javyn Key and Aaron Walker both tied for fifth and Charleson Rom picked up fourth. In team competition, MHS went almost perfect (5-1) in the final round to win a tiebreaker over Jackson Prep to bring home first place in K-12.