High schoolers from across South Carolina competed in an esports championship, aiming to build real-world skills through teamwork and gaming.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — High school students across South Carolina met at Midlands Technical College on Saturday for a video game-based tournament.
The Scholastic Esports State Championship hopes to use the virtual world to teach students valuable real-world skills.
Ryan Panter is a leader within the organization and explained how video games help students succeed.
“We’re starting to open people’s eyes that it’s more than just sitting in a room hanging out, it’s the competitive side,” he said. “What we do is we want to make sure that it’s always team based, and these students are working together, communicating, collaborating all the right way. And it’s the skills we know they need to be successful in the real world.”
Esports, short for electronic sports, has been gaining popularity, especially in the post-COVID era.
The Michigan Journal of Economics describes esports as competitions featuring video games that focus on reaction time, strategic understanding, and collaboration.
While over 130 students who participated in the tournament at Midlands Tech enjoyed playing the games, they took the competition seriously.
The students are all part of competitive teams at their respective schools. Lexington 1 School District Coach Spencer Sandoval said that esports are considered a varsity sport, giving students another outlet to connect with their peers.
“I have seen friendships come up for people that don’t say a word to me in class,” Sandoval said. “Once they understand that they are with somebody that is on their level, that likes the same things they like, those friendships blossom, and they just come alive. Even though they’re playing video games, it’s so good for their personality and development. It’s been amazing to see.”
The two games featured at the tournament were Super Smash Brothers, a fighting game, and Rocket League, which involves players teaming up to play soccer with vehicles.
Both games emphasize real-time collaboration with teammates.
Cole Wandrie attends Lexington High School and said esports have helped him make new friends and contacts.
“Most of these people I would not have met otherwise, and I’m so happy to have met them,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without both esports and these people that I met here.”
Organizers said esports are on the rise across the country, and they are hopeful that more school districts in the Palmetto State will start their own leagues in the coming year.
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