Thurston Elementary repeated as the state chess champions at the annual Michigan Elementary and Primary Team Championships, held at Michigan State University on February 3. This annual tournament drew 131 teams from across Michigan. The championship team members are Haoyang Tang, Daniel Yuan, Leon Pescador, and Isaac Balinski. They took the title of state champions by winning 4.5 out of 5 matches in the Elementary (K-5) division. Thurston took second place in the Primary (K-3) division, winning four out of five matches. That team consisted of Naveen Fujii, Oliver Barron, Suzan Karabakal, Duncan Darnell, and Jeremy Hoy. Another Thurston team just missed winning a top ten trophy. That team was Lorna Barron, Austin Bunker, Caroline Elliott, and Madison Bunker.

Five Thurston players won medals for individual performance. Silver medals (won 4 out of 5 games) went to Lorna Barron, Oliver Barron, and Daniel Yuan. Gold medals (winning all five games) went to Suzan Karabakal and Leon Pescador.

Teacher and coach Ray Garrison helped lead Thurston to its second state championship in a row.