Searcy, AR (LP) — Last spring, Searcy High School initialized its very own eSports team. The team immediately gained traction among students, most likely due to the fact that it was a competitive activity that wasn’t an athletic or academic competition. One was not required to run fast or know all the facts, just play and have fun. There hadn’t been a club like it in Searcy. The biggest draw, though, was the feel of eSports. Aiden Bunting, a member of the Searcy eSports team said “What I like most is the team. I love the feeling you get when we all load into a game. It makes you feel like a part of something bigger. I think that whether or not you think you are good at the game, you still have a place on the team. Not only is it a competitive scene, but it is also a way for newer players to learn from someone better than them. I, for one, have learned a lot from Holden and Lloyd.” This is not an experience felt by the players alone but also the adults. Brandon Renuard, the sponsor of the eSports team stated that his favourite aspect of eSports is “The team aspect. I love that they have to socialize and coordinate together in a way that many of our players are not accustomed to. I feel like it helps some people come out of their shell.” It is evident that eSports is its own kind of sport.
The eSports teams are starting their new season now and are gearing up to do the best they can to take the season. The season is looking to be an exciting one, too. The only thing that could possibly stand in the team’s way is themselves, it would seem. “I feel great about this season. While we should definitely have great records in both sports our best chance at winning a state Esports title is definitely in League of Legends. The League of Legends A-Team played both former state champs already this season and beat one team and lost a very close game against the other. We have a very good Rocket League team as well, but there’s definitely more room for improvement in Rocket League than League of Legends. I am very excited to see how both teams do in playoffs,” said Renuard. It appears that with practice, this season may well be the best one yet.
If the teams do as well as they hope, this could be greatly rewarding for the players. Rewarding, that is, in more ways than simply bragging rights. “I don’t think enough people realize just how important this is to the players. I would also like more people to know this is just going to just grow bigger. Many colleges are just starting to take it seriously. I fully expected scholarships for esports are eventually going to be a common occurrence at almost every college. I am looking forward to the future,” said Renuard. With scholarships and college on the line, these games are more than play, but an investment in a player’s future.
