Bradford Takes 2nd in Western NY Elementary Chess Championship

Pioneer Central Schools earned top team honors defeating Bradford by just half a point in the Western NY Scholastic Championship held at the Hornell High School over the weekend. All of Pioneer’s players were fifth and sixth graders whereas Bradford’s team consisted of second and third graders: Danny Fedak, Nate Evan, and Jacob and Jessica Yost. Danny Fedak won the third place individual trophy on tiebreaks. Coach Ferguson predicts that Bradford’s younger team should prove difficult to beat in future years.

Pioneer also took top honors in the junior-senior high section. Buffalo finished second, while Hornell and Bath tied for third. Bradford did not take a junior-senior high team.

Tied for third place team were Buffalo and Scio Central Schools. Other participating schools included Olean, Bath, and Hornell.

Pictured, top, from left to right are first place individual Sam Tillinghast from Pioneer, second place individual James Miles from Buffalo, and third place individual Danny Fedak from School Street Elementary. The second photo shows the three Bradford students who tied for third place. From left to right: Jessica Yost, Danny Fedak, and Jacob Yost.
(Photos and information provided by Dr. Bob Ferguson)