DESCRIPTION: Photo Two: The MMS (K-8) team from left: Austin Hammonds, Eric Wann, Conner McKenna, Jared Henderson and Jake Zimmerer, (not pictured Liam Parker). (this team finished tied for fourth place) Murray High School Chess Team Reigns as the 2008 Kentucky State Chess Champions  Murray, Ky., March 7 - Murray High School Chess Team members, Jordan Smith, Steven Arnold, Patrick Hughes, Chess Volp and Daniel Hughes recently claimed the  2008 Kentucky State Championship Chess Title held at Crosby Middle School in Louisville, Ky.  This marks the fourth state championship title for the MHS Chess team in the past five years.  "It is the second longest winning streak in Kentucky chess history," said Murray coach, Doug Crafton. Crafton said throughout the last 20 years Murray has won ten state championships in various divisions that include Murray Elementary and Murray Middle schools.  The future of the program looks very positive, he said.

Normally a state chess win would be exciting, but Chess Volp (MHS senior), said not extremely exciting because of the great success MHS has experienced at state. However, this year was very rewarding because the team came in as the fifth seed and ended up beating two teams rated higher than us, as well as drawing one team rated higher than us," he said.  Through hard work one can be successful inside and outside the classroom, because hard work can breed success. The Murray Middle School (K-8) team composed of Austin Hammonds, Eric Wann, Conner McKenna, Jared Henderson, Liam Parker and Jake Zimmerer, finished tied for fourth place.  The Elementary (K-5) team finished in third place.  This team is made up of Brendan Parker, Tanner Foster, Daniel Harper, Dillon Baltrhop and Kevin Wann.  Tanner Foster posted a perfect day through the four-round competition. Crafton said he was one of only four players in his division to accomplish a 4-0 record that day. Murray;s primary K-3 team also participated but did not place.  They had a very good first experience at that kind of tournament, Crafton said.