WHS eSports Keeps Up the Energy in Spring Season

Within the first year of the Waukee High School eSports team officially forming, the team has already gone to state championships for the winter season on February 21st and placed 3rd. “The atmosphere was electric… there were a bunch of people in the stands… and once you got up to the computers and you loaded in, you felt like an absolute boss,” said senior Talan Shah. It was an uphill battle for the Waukee team going up against Ames and DCG back-to-back for 4 grueling hours. Despite the team losing their rematch against DCG, the team still pulled through and destroyed the loser’s bracket.

The players on the team have taken the 3rd place spot and have become even more encouraged to go farther in the spring season. “I think it shows people that… we actually have some pretty good people who can play games well,” said returning member, junior Oran Jackson, “And I hope that success transfers over into our spring season as well as next year.” The spring season brings with it 3 completely different games, Mario Kart 8, League of Legends, and Valorant with completely different skill sets and strategies making it a difficult season to coordinate.

With the start of such an ambitious season, new members are always being accepted by anyone interested in joining. “We still have openings available if you’d like to… stop by the eSports room when you see the lights are on,” said Coach Palmer. There still are opportunities to join the varsity teams for any featured games, as well as non-gaming-related positions such as shout casting and managing live streams. “On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays we are in here, so if you want just to come see what it looks like, or if you want to see if we play your title, you are more than welcome to come and check it out.”