24-25 year of Esports
Launch the media gallery 1 playerEsports
This was the inaugural year that Maywood had an Esports team, adding an activity that would help to capture more of our students who may have a greater interest in video games than sports and other activities. Throughout this school year we had a total of three games that students practiced and competed in.
During the first semester, students had the opportunity to play the Nintendo title Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which pits teams of two against each other in an effort to knock both of their opponents off the battle stage three times before the same was done to them. We were able to field two varsity teams who improved as the season progressed and both made it to the first round of playoffs. Despite their best efforts, both teams were knocked out of the playoffs at this point. While initially disappointed, the participants noted how much they enjoyed the season and began planning for next year almost immediately. Students who participated in this season were Rowan Fletcher, Daniel Stewart, Alianah Del Carlo, Joseph Small, Aiden Bryant, Ben Rubio-Najera, and Zach Denton.
Following the conclusion of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, students began practicing for the upcoming season of Mario Kart 8. This game allows players to select a character and use a variety of parts to create a vehicle that best meets their needs for a series of races that took place following Christmas break. Four students competed at a time against four members from another team, with points awarded based on placement in each race. We were able to field one Mario Kart team this year and they were a highly competitive group in both practices and competition. Due to unforeseen circumstances, (i.e. unexpected winter storms and illness) we were unable to play one of our matches which lead to forfeit by both teams, dropping our seeding for the playoffs. Once playoffs came around, we scheduled our match and competed until the final race, when our opponents narrowly edged past us in total points. Just like that, our Mario Kart season ended and students seemingly dedicated themselves to doing everything they could to improve and surpass this first season. Students who participated in this season were Rowan Fletcher, Daniel Stewart, Graci Peterka, Joseph Small, and Emma Peterka.
On March 29th, just a few hours before prom, the Maywood Fortnite Esports team competed in the state tournament for Division 4 (nearly identical to Class D in other sports and activities) against 17 other teams all vying for a state championship. The core of this team remained intact throughout practices and statewide competitions with minor changes to personnel as the season progressed. Through a total of 4 matches in the state tournament our team managed to place 6th against stiff competition, earning them a medal for their efforts. The determination shown by these students demonstrated the progress they had all made in working together as a team in an otherwise unorthodox school activity. All three groups of students (some in multiple seasons) showed tremendous work ethic and desire to improve their abilities. Students who participated in this season were Daniel Stewart, Joseph Small, Nathan Cuellar, Elliott Oakman, Alonso Palma-Morales, and Robert Carter.
I am certainly excited for next year now that we have a better understanding of what we need to do to continue improving and build upon the successes of this year and I know our students are as well. We will spend all summer looking forward to next year, and look forward to competing once again. We hope to be able to offer a way for community members to watch our competitions, but we always welcome observers for practice throughout the year, so we hope to see you next year!
-Coach Cameron Sonnenfeld