Competitive video gaming, aka eSports, is the newest addition to Warrenton High School’s activities roster, reflecting a growing trend in both academia and the world of entertainment.

Twelve players, split into varsity and JV teams, started weekly competitions in January playing “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” against teams at other high schools. The skill-testing fighting game is just one of the gaming options that more and more high schools and colleges are organizing official teams around.

(For those who didn’t grow up playing video games: Super Smash Bros. is a game that pits super-powered characters against each other in a battle to knock the opponent off of a stage.)

Faculty advisor Elizabeth Hancock said eSports have become popular enough that many colleges are now offering scholarships for player recruitment.

“It’s actually emerging as a career. (Companies) run video game championships opposite the Super Bowl, even,” Hancock commented. “And you get some of the same things you get from normal sports: the camaraderie, the teamwork, the motivation to keep their grades where they need to be in order to play.”

Matches are organized by the Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation. The weekly Super Smash Bros. matches feature five players from each team squaring off  in a series of one-on-one battles. Once a player loses, they’re eliminated and a teammate rotates in for the next battle. Teams win the match by defeating all five opposing players.

The games can be played online, and all the matches are currently played remotely, although teams can meet in person as well.

No matter what the win-loss record for this first season ends up being, Hancock said the team has already been successful just getting off the ground and playing a competitive season.

“I was worried our skill level wouldn’t live up and the kids would feel defeated, but JV has a winning record and varsity is improving with each week,” Hancock said. “We also have students from each grade level, so I feel confident that the program will continue to grow next year.”

Although many kids have grown up playing games like Super Smash Bros., the team members said having organized competitions with tracked results changes their experience.

“There’s definitely a level of stress to the tournaments. It definitely holds a lot more weight,” said junior Wyatt Griesinger.

“When I found out I’d be facing players ... all over the state, I was super excited,” said junior Wade Brosenne.

AJ Bailey, one of the varsity seniors, said he hopes to work on self-improvement both personally and as a team.

“A goal for myself is to just get better in general. A goal for the team is to at least get Top 5,” Bailey said. He commented that varsity has had a rough start, but is learning.

Assistant Principal Dr. Edward Picone, who helped promote the creation of an eSports team, said he’s proud to see more students have a chance to be involved in school activities. By celebrating their interests, he said the team gives those students something to look forward to at school.

“A kid only needs one reason to come to school and they’ll be glad to get here. Inclusion is the big (motivator),” Picone said. He added that students who play eSports are more likely to pursue STEM careers, and sports-style college scholarships are becoming more available for non-athletic students.

Picone said he’d like to see eSports grow to where the varsity and JV programs are as big as any other sport, and live matches are being hosted as spectator events in the High School Commons.

“I foresee a future where we’re playing on a stage and have spectators, we’re selling concessions, just like any other event,” Picone commented. “I’d really like to see that community involvement. Everyone likes someone cheering in their corner.”