Members of the Meridian High School Chess Team have been named state champions after winning the Mississippi Scholastic Chess Association’s 2024 State Championship Cup in the high school division on March 9 in Starkville. Northwest Middle School’s chess team won the state championship in the K-8 Division.

The State Championship Cup, held at Mississippi State University, is considered the organization’s largest and most representative tournament for chess in the state.

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 25 teams, representing schools across the state participated in the event.

This is the second consecutive year Meridian Public School District has sent students to this tournament. Meridian High School, coached by Scott Farmer and assisted by James Jones, took six students, and Northwest Middle School, coached by Daniel Roberts, had four students in the competition. 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.