Lemont Competes At IHSA Chess State Finals For 29th Straight Year

LEMONT, IL — Head coach Ken Suslek’s Lemont High School chess team placed 70th at the 2026 IHSA Chess State Finals, which were contested at the Peoria Civic Center on Feb. 13-14, the school shared in a news release.

Lemont has advanced to the IHSA State Finals 29 straight years.

Lemont won three of seven state finals matches and placed 10th among all Class 3A teams, according to LHS. On the first day of competition, it topped Rock Falls (51.5-16.5), lost to Conant (46-22), knocked off Elk Grove Village (52.5-15.5), and fell short against Highland Park (53-15). On the second day, Lemont beat Buffalo Grove (36.5-31.5) but came up short against Urbana University (48.5-19.5) and Sterling (41.5-26.5).

All players who score at least 5.5 points at the competition earn medals. The school said freshman Ryan Leone scored 6.0 points at Board 6, posting a 6-1 record. Senior Zach Doyle just missed that recognition, picking up 5.0 points on five wins at Board 5.

Sophomore Ganesh Kolli (Board 2; three wins, one draw) and freshman Graham Huhn (three wins, one draw) each scored 3.5 points, while senior Ryan Haucke (Board 4; two wins, two draws) had 3.0 points. Sophomore John Perry (two wins, one draw) scored 2.5 points, freshman Jacob Huff (one win, two draws) secured 2.0 points, and sophomore Alex Tchernev (three draws) collected 1.5 points, according to LHS.

Lemont advanced to the state finals after winning two matches at the IHSA Glenbard West Sectional, the school said. Lemont dominated the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division, posting a 12-0 record in conference matches. Suslek’s teams are 151-5 in SSC Blue play over the last 13 seasons.