With the start of 2024, esports begins its sixth season. It has evolved by surviving through new coaches, inviting more members and advancing their skills.
It used to be a club where members would play video games, but now it has expanded into an official Arizona Interscholastic Association sport since the fall of 2019.
Esports, also known as Electronic Sports, is a form of sport competing through video games.
“It’s not your typical sport. We are playing video games and competing,” said esports moderator Garrett Mortensen.
Esports is a year-round sport. Preseason starts in the fall, followed by the competitive season in the spring.
Video games that esports competes in are Rocket League, League of Legends and Super Smash Brothers.
Esports consists of three teams with three girls on each team. Coaches are Mortenson and Daniel Velazquez.
“The Esports community is typically male-dominated so to be from an all-girls school makes our team even more special,” said Mireya Ramirez ‘24.
These girls work hard at practice Mondays and Tuesdays and compete in meets every Wednesday.
At practices, during 8th hour, they prepare for games on their three Nintendo Switches by playing with each other and playing with coaches.
When it comes to game days, the girls meet in the esports room and prepare to meet their opponent. First, they are place in a chat room, and if it’s a home game the opponent will join Xavier’s.
In a game, a player will play three matches and the winner is determined by who wins the best of three.
“There are lot of little details in there, as every sport has of course. It’s just a video-game format,” Mortenson said.
“We are trying to make sure that we have a program that we can perform and have a set standard. We are setting that right now but also having an environment that is fun and inviting for anyone to come into and participate,” said Mortenson.
Esports’ next competition will be on Wednesday, February 14th against Nogales High School.
