Daphne, Ala., April 18, 2012 – The Bayside Academy Chess team participated in its fifth national tournament in the past seven years last weekend in Minneapolis. At the High School Nationals, Bayside was the only team from Alabama in an event that featured over 1,300 players from around the country. The Admirals won 5th place in the U1200 rating section that included 63 teams and 338 players. For Bayside, it was the sixth top 10 finish at Nationals, and the fourth top five, including one National Championship.

Representing Bayside were seniors Scott Dahlke, Blake Nelson and Peyton Winstead, junior Wesley Dean and freshman Marissa Cazalas. Individually, Dean scored six points out of a possible seven and tied for 2nd place, taking the 4th place trophy on tiebreaks. This was the highest individual finish by a Bayside player at Nationals. Nelson scored 5.5 points, tying for 13th place, and took home the 21st place trophy on tiebreaks.

According to Coach Eric Nager, “This was the best prepared team we have taken to Nationals. The players worked hard on their tactics all year and it paid off.” Nager is the author of “Checklist for Checkmate: 15 Keys to Building a Successful Team” that chronicles Bayside’s rise to a national title, and how it can apply to any type of team.

So far this season, Bayside won the Mobile-Baldwin County scholastic league for the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time in the past nine years. Next up for the Admirals is the state chess championship tournament, April 27-28 in Bessemer.