DAPHNE, Ala.—The Bayside Academy chess team recently returned from Nashville for Super Nationals IV, an event held every four years that invites players from all age groups to come together for one tournament. This year was the largest event ever, featuring 5,200 students from 45 states.

Bayside students Blake Nelson, Scott Dahlke, Eric Peterson and Hayden Gunn placed as National Runners Up in the K12 U800 section out of 40 teams.

The K9 Unrated team—which included students Will Runels, Peyton Winstead and Rebecca Pober—placed seventh nationally in their section.

For the first time, Bayside took lower school students to compete; this group included Richard O’Neill, Andrew Smith and Ty Kannegieter. Bayside student Trent Kannegieter played up in a K12 section along with Kevin Nelson and Wesley Dean.

Individual awards were earned by the following players:

Blake Nelson tied for second overall nationally in the K12 U800 section of more than 200 participants. He also took home the eighth-place trophy on tiebreakers.

Scott Dahlke captured the 15th-place trophy in the same section.

Eric Peterson tied for 20th.

In the K9 Unrated section, Will Runels won the ninth-place trophy.

The chess team is coached by Eric Nager. Sally Kalaris is the faculty sponsor.