LHS Captures Three Matches At 2021 IHSA Chess State Finals

LEMONT, IL — At the 2021 IHSA Chess State Finals, which were contested virtually on Feb. 12-13, Lemont High School placed 67th of 118 teams and won multiple state finals matches for the 24th straight year, according to a release from the school.

Head coach Ken Suslek’s team earned victories over Elk Grove Village, Manteno and East Peoria, the school said. Its top performer was senior Jacob Ahlberg, who posted 6.0 points on six wins at Board 8. Senior Matas Carmichael (four wins) and junior Sunny Rana (three wins, one draw) followed with 4.0 points and 3.5 points at Board 1 and Board 3, respectively.

Lemont enjoyed a terrific season, posting an 11-1 record in conference play and winning the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division, the school said. Suslek’s teams are 91-5 in SSC Blue play over the last eight seasons. Senior Brian Bator and junior Safin Saraiya each earned All-SSC honors this season.

Lemont has competed at the IHSA Chess State Finals each year since 1998. According to the school, it has won at least two matches in each of those state finals appearances, and has won four matches on eight different occasions, including 2016, 2017 and 2018. The program’s best finish in the team standings came in 2007 when it placed 40th.