CDHS is upping their game with the addition of Esports, or electronic sports, a form of competition using video games. In its first season, 23 students from grades 9-12 are participating and they’re off to a great start!
“For quite a few students, this is their first chance to represent our school as part of a team,” Mr. Mercado said. “It was really cool to see the pride those students took in their participation.”
CDHS participates in the IAHSEA program which has three seasons: fall, winter, and spring. The games played in competitions change with each season. The games for this winter season include "Overwatch" and "Rocket League."
Because CDHS is a first-year team, they are only allowed to have one varsity team and one JV team. Due to larger roster sizes and greater student interest in “Overwatch,” they decided that would be the varsity team and “Rocket League” would become the JV team. “Overwatch” allows a maximum roster of 10 students with five playing while “Rocket League” allows a maximum roster of six students with three playing.
The winner for each competition is the first team to win three out of five games. In the first match last Tuesday, the varsity “Overwatch” team faced Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and won 3 - 0. In the first JV “Rocket League” match, they faced Marshalltown and won 3 - 1.
CDHS Esport teams have six more weeks of matches followed by playoffs and a state-level tournament. Games are played virtually on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. in their own lab at the high school.
CDHS students helped to design and construct five new computers used for competition. Some of the more experienced kids built the first device, and then used the other devices to teach other interested students how to put together a PC.
“That was the most exciting aspect of our season so far,” Mr. Mercado said. “The kids really took ownership over the program and worked really hard to prepare us for the rigors of online competition. We are in a great position to capitalize on this year's momentum for next year.”
Good luck in your upcoming competitions, Sabers! We’re proud to have you represent Central DeWitt!
