Friday, February 7, 2003
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Friday, February 7, 2003 |
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East Coweta Middle fares well at chess tournament Once again, two East Coweta Middle School students battled it out rook and pawn for the top spot at the Coweta County School Chess Tournament Saturday. For the third tournament in a row, ECMS students Peter Lauzon and Josh Moreland faced each other for the final match of the tournament as the two top middle school players; last year, the two were among several East Coweta middle School students who not only dominated the Coweta tournament, but competed in and won third place as a team in state tournaments held shortly thereafter. Lauzon won the match, making him once again the middle school tournament champion and the highest-ranked chess player in Coweta County. Landmark Christian Academy junior Mark Vinson was the top-ranked high school player at the tournament and had the second-highest standing overall, and Wes Lutz of White Oak topped elementary students at the tournament. The Coweta County Schools Chess Tournament was Jan. 25 at Smokey Road Middle School, sponsored by Coweta County middle school chess clubs and the Newnan Rotary Club. Forty-three students played through six hours of competition. The competition was open to all Coweta County students, from fourth through 12th grades. It was the first year the tournament was open the high school students. Students competed in the six rounds of play to determine best overall players; Richard Booth served as tournament director and kept pairings for the day. Elementary School winners included Wes Lutz (White Oak, first place), Matthew Bjornes ((Willis Road, second place), and Louis Mark (Jefferson Parkway, third place). Middle School winners included Peter Lauzon (East Coweta, first place), John Moreland (East Coweta , second place), Derek Jett (Arnall, third place), and Jacob Rabun (East Coweta, fourth place). The High School winner was Mark Vinson (Landmark Christian). Along with director Booth, Smokey Road teacher Mitch Davis, Arnall teacher Bob Lutz, Madras teacher Ron Mann and East Coweta parent Wayne Lauzon were among the organizers of the event. Bob Tumperi, of the Newnan Rotary Club, has been a long-time supporter of chess in schools and of the chess tournaments. "This was another great tournament. Good competition and great sportsmanship," he said. The sponsors are trying to organize one more tournament this year, tentatively slated for May 4 at Madras Middle School.
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