Esports: More Than Just a Game!

A new sports season has recently begun and eager Selah High School participants have been fine-tuning their skills in order to deliver peak performances during the clutches of competition.  Athletically unflawed, exhibiting impeccable dexterity, rapid reflexes, fierce focus, and the natural ability to play in the moment, this group of players thrive on the thrill of intense and fast-paced competition.  Poised, practiced and confident in their talent, Viking Esports athletes are ready for screen time and the gaming action before them. 

Each athletic season, many students represent high schools across the country in a wide variety of sports and activities.  Now, among the extra-curricular options in high school and collegiate sporting competition is Esports, a gaming activity that is a rising trend attracting massive participation, and one in which Selah has a top tier team.

Esports, short for Electronic Sports, is a form of competition using video games where participants test their skills against each other.  Esports can be played individually or as multi-player teams and the venue is normally a high-tech facility designed to host competitive gaming events. For the Viking team their arena is one of the school’s computer labs. A multi-billion-dollar industry, Esports is more than just a game as it is shaping trends in technology, entertainment, and education.   

Leading Selah’s Esports team is high school computer science teacher, Lane Roberts, who launched the Vikings onto the gaming stage in 2021.  In building Selah’s program, now in its fourth year, Roberts had no idea of the impact the activity would have on students. 

“When I started the Esports program after being hired in Selah, I had no idea the effect this activity could have on students,” said Roberts.  “Over the years I have seen interest from a wide-range of students. I have witnessed students come out of their shells, make friends, and create a social group that was non-existent or highly limited, simply by giving them a place to be and an opportunity to interact with each other.”

By offering Esports as an extracurricular activity option, schools reach students who might otherwise be disengaged from the campus community. Maneuvering beyond the game, Roberts says Esports participation provides several benefits in the educational environment, with the biggest being creating a sense of belonging amongst students and their peers. 

“Over my time as a coach I have seen students who had very little social interaction and desire to be a part of the school community turn it around and want to be at school.  They want to see their friends. They want to participate. They want to socially interact in person. The want is important to learning.” 

Also, Roberts points to the communication, teamwork and leadership aspects of team games as not only being beneficial to Esports athletes, but skills needed in life. 

“During match play, when you watch the students play and communicate they are perfectly in sync with one another, anticipating needs, working towards a common goal and giving instructions while providing critical thinking to the situation at hand in order to be successful.  This is more than a game, it is fundamental in life.” 

Further benefits include, Esports and STEM go hand-in-hand. Students drawn to gaming are often equally captivated by the broader technology ecosystem and are interested in science, technology, engineering and math—all areas of focus in education which align with future STEM careers. Also, regardless of the activity, students who participate in extra-curricular pursuits generally feel good about themselves, have increased mental health, are more likely to pay attention in class, develop social skills, set goals, practice time management, and manage success and failure.

In Washington, the Esports athletic league is guided by the Washington State Scholastic Esports Association (WSSEA). The WSSEA is a partner to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), as Esports waits for an official activity designation with the WIAA.  Just like WIAA sports and activities, WSSEA is divided into three competition seasons: Fall, Winter and Spring.  During this year’s fall season, Selah’s squad competed in the Overwatch 2 league, going undefeated through 11 games. Earning a spot in the championship match, the team placed second by coming up a single point short in the final. During winter play, the Vikings were again atop the gaming field where two Selah team members earned third and fourth state finishes in the Guilty Gear Strive league.  Also, as a team, the Vikings topped the Apex field to finish as state champions.  Now underway with spring gaming, the team is again competitive in the Rocket League, Valorant and Super Smash Bros. categories. Current team members include Quinlan Alexandrou, Ethan Baltimore, Benny Baragan, Damion Camarata, Alexander Gaston, Noal Michael, Eli Nichols, Jareen Paez, Casey Peters, Alexander Rodriguez, Robercto Rodriquez, Gabe Stuker, Daniel Wilson, and Dylan Woods. However, the numbers multiply as other participants appear during club time and before or after school. 

In preparing for competition, just like any practice, training is intense as gamers need dedicated time to focus on specific skills, mechanics, and in-game knowledge.  In order to become match ready, students are in Roberts’ classroom every day, after school, sharpening their skills. Individual performances need to be analyzed, previous matches reviewed, changes to team compositions analyzed, and new strategies based on weak game areas explored. On match days, students prepare from the moment school is dismissed, until contest time, reviewing all aspects of their challenge ahead. 

For some Esports players, the game doesn’t end after high school.  Top tier gamers can extend their playing days by earning college athletic scholarships. This provides an opportunity for these competitors to have college paid for, while playing a sport they love. In fact, there are many colleges that have started building Esports programs and regionally the list includes Columbia Basin College, Central Washington University, University of Washington, and Washington State University. Selah has three team members who will continue their gaming careers in college and have committed to Columbia Basin to compete for its Esports team beginning in the fall. 

With the popularity of video gaming, competitive opportunities and growing participation rates, it’s clear the Esports movement will play on.  And, Roberts is certain the sport will only continue to grow and evolve providing a playing field for gaming athletes. 

“A recent study found that on average 30% of students will participate in a sport during their time in high school.  The same study found over 80% of these students also play video games,” said Roberts.  “Video games have an ability to bring the most adverse of students together and level the playing field for those unable to participate in physical sports.  More students hold video games as a common ground than most any other activity in high school.”

That’s because Esports is more than just a game.