NEBRASKA STATE SCHOLASTICS; 35 YEARS OF TRADITION. PART II: 1977-1988

Last issue we looked at State Scholastics from the first one in 1965, to 1976. Originally the event had been intended for high school players and there was a Championship (rated) division, and a Challenger (unrated) division. As interest increased however in ratings, and the numbers in the Challenger Division faded, the 1975 event was the final year of the Challenger Division. Of course the addition of Open, Elementary and Junior High Sections also made it easier for all high school players to play in a single division as well.

In this issue we continue our glimpse back beginning with the event held in 1977. For the first time since the event was begun in 1965, it was held outside of the Omaha or Lincoln area in Fremont, Nebraska. The attendance was excellent (156) and team champion was once again Omaha Central. Rod Malpert of Lincoln East was individual High School Champion for the 2nd year in a row.

In 1978, the event moved back to Lincoln, held this time at Gateway Mall. The result remained the same as Central once again captured the team title. The event drew 160 participants and was directed by Loren Schmidt and Gary Marks. The individual High School Championship was shared by three players, Jim McCrory of Pius X in Lincoln, John Deseck of Omaha Gross, and Dean Semanco of Bellevue West. Rich Chess won the Open section, while Ken Curran and Dale Deseck tied for first in the Junior High Section. Ashland Park of Omaha and Sheridan of Lincoln took the team title in the Elementary school division.

The 1979 event held in Lincoln again, was won by John Deseck of Gross, while Wayne Pressnall of North Platte won the Open, Dirck Fuller won the Junior High and Bington won the Elementary title. One hundred sixty six players took part. Central captured another team title.

In 1980, Omaha South broke through to take the team title, while Huston, Kisicki, Deseck and Walters shared the individual championship. One hundred seventy nine the highest up to that point took part.

In 1981, in Lincoln at Gateway again, South repeated as team champion Paul Sykora of South took individual honors with a perfect 5-0 score. In the Junior High Section, Irving took the team title, while Steve Parrington won the individual Junior High Championship. Hebron won the Elementary division and Lysander David was Elementary champion. One hundred eighty eight players took part breaking the previous year's attendance mark.

In 1982, in Lincoln again, 151 players took part. The High School team title was won by South for the third straight year. Ryan McGill of Central and Chris Walters of South shared the individual title. Kent Nelson won a large Open section that included 37 players. Jeff Ramsbottom of Hebron was Junior High Champion and Ted Thompson of Hillside won the individual Elementary School Championship.

In 1983, it was held in Lincoln again and drew about 170 players. Richard Perry won the Open, Ty Soares was High School Champion, and Keith Nielsen was tops in Junior High. Jeff Thompson was Elementary Champion. No actual team scores are mentioned, but I believe that Central won, as Soares was from Central, I'm pretty sure.

In 1984, Soares repeated as individual champion in Lincoln on March 3-4. Scott Herchenbock won the Junior High Section, and Jeff Thompson, David Nickerson, Tom Saklar, and Chris Caniglia tied for 1st in the Elementary section. Attendance was down slightly from previous years to 116. Nelson, Sildmets, John Drexel and Smorch tied for 1st in the Open. Central may have won again, although no team winners are mentioned.

In 1985, Omaha South won the team title in Lincoln on March 2-3. Hauke Rudolph of Omaha Northwest was top individual with 5-0. Omaha Westbrook took the Junior High Team Title, while Nathan Lane of Culler Junior High in Lincoln was Junior High Champion. Lincoln Calvert took the Elementary team title while Matt Weidel of Hebron was top individual.

In 1986, Omaha South won again and Keith Nielsen was top individual. Compass and Terrell took top honors in the Junior High and Turek captured the Elementary Championship. Mike Dreiger was Open Champion, 156 took part.

In 1987, Central won again and Don Shennum captured the Individual Championship. Approximately 154 attended.

In 1988, Central won again and Terrell and Palgi tied for top individual honors as approximately 140 attended. As the 1980's ended, Brownell-Talbot began its climb to the top.