SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 426
WHEREAS, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess
team furthered its legacy of success by becoming co-champions of
the 2025 President's Cup tournament, held April 5 and 6 in
Dallas; and
WHEREAS, The Vaqueros qualified for the President's Cup
with their victory at the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team
Championship in January; on the last day of that tournament, the
UTRGV A Team bested The University of Texas at Dallas, earning a
perfect score of six points after winning all six of its matches;
the Vaqueros were the only team among the 91 competing squads to
execute a flawless performance; and
WHEREAS, UTRGV entered the President's Cup tournament
ranked fourth out of the four qualifying teams, but its players
remained undaunted; the Vaqueros opened the event against
Webster University, splitting the match in a 2-2 draw, and the
second round contest with Saint Louis University also ended in
a 2-2 tie; going into the final round against UT Dallas, UTRGV
trailed the leading teams by a half point, but the Vaqueros
rallied to finish with a total score of 7, tying Webster
University for a share of the championship; the team's
performance earned UTRGV its fourth national title, adding to
the three consecutive wins the program achieved beginning in
2018; and
WHEREAS, The UTRGV team benefited from the contributions
of grandmasters Gleb Dudin, Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux, and Jose
Cardoso Cardoso, and international master Jakub Fus; over the
course of the year, these talented players benefited from the
able guidance of coach Bartek Macieja; and
WHEREAS, By collecting four President's Cup crowns in seven
years, the UT Rio Grande Valley team has distinguished itself as
a powerhouse in collegiate chess, and the 2025 Vaquero
competitors may indeed reflect with pride on a job well done;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby congratulate The University of Texas Rio
Grande Valley chess team on earning a share of the national
championship at the 2025 President's Cup tournament and extend to
all those associated with the program sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
Hinojosa of Nueces
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 22, 2025.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate