With Coronavirus shutting down most sports activities, there is one sports team representing TWHS – the Esports club. The club, first formed in January, already has 60 active members and 20 students playing on competitive teams.

TWHS has been competing in the High School Esports League (HSEL) Spring Major, which began on March 20. TWHS is competing against other high schools across the country in this event, and has fielded teams in Rainbow 6 Siege, Counter-Strike, Overwatch, Fortnite, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Members of each team were selected through a series of tryouts held by the club.

Esports Leagues flourish in Corona void

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Members of competitive teams have to practice to compete on the highest level, president Austin Poppinga said, but practice time varies for each student.

“It really all depends on how much time the team has that week and if a playoff game is coming up,” Poppinga said. “Usually they do anywhere from 3 to 6 hours of practice a day, and they usually do practice 4 to 5 times a week.”

Following the HSEL Spring Major, the club hopes to continue to compete with schools in the surrounding area and start a local league. A local league would help “to keep our players skills to their full potential,” Poppinga said.

https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/sm-standings-2020-1

Esports club sponsor Kristen Gartner said that going forward the club is, “hoping to field more teams to compete.” She hopes to get jerseys for teams, start local competitions, and continue to grow the club to represent TWHS.

Competitions aren’t the only reason to join the club.

“Esports club isn’t just about playing competitively,” Poppinga said, “This club is open to anyone wanting to learn about how to get into the esports scene, or even just wanting to meet people with similar interests.”

The club is sponsored by Kristen Gartner, and will meet weekly when school resumes. For more information once school resumes, email her at [email protected].