Competitive gaming programs at District 230’s two high schools added more hardware to their growing collections this spring after strong performances at the Illinois High School Association state esports tournament.
Teams from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School and Victor J. Andrew High School earned medals in three events during the statewide tournament, which featured 52 schools competing in games such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Madden NFL, Rocket League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and EA Sports FC.
The results continued an impressive run for District 230 esports teams, which have now brought home state medals four consecutive years.
Leading the way was Stagg’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate squad, which captured a state championship without losing a match. The championship team included junior captain Yusef Hassan, junior Mohamed Ahmed, sophomore Alex Lisowski, senior Isaac Ferniza, senior John Valdes and freshman Abdullah Ahmed.
Stagg also celebrated another individual title after senior Ryan McNulty defended his state championship in Madden NFL, giving him back-to-back state crowns in the event.
Andrew’s Super Smash Bros. team narrowly missed the top three but still earned a state medal with a fourth-place finish. The Thunderbolts lineup featured sophomore Nathan Beitia, senior captain Joseph Schultz, sophomore Gerald Udarbe, sophomore Cody Truong and junior Owen Murray.
Several other District 230 teams also posted strong finishes at the tournament.
Stagg’s Rocket League team placed fifth in the state, while the school’s Mario Kart 8 team also secured a fifth-place finish. Andrew’s Mario Kart squad finished seventh overall.
Stagg esports sponsor Jonathan McGreal said the program’s continued success comes from the culture players have built over time.
“The high school esports scene is well-established and pretty competitive,” McGreal said. “We developed a strong culture at Stagg and continue to carry it over the years. We train up players with strong mentality, good communication and analytical skills.”
McGreal added that the team focuses on improving at every level of competition.
Andrew sponsor Christopher Swick said he believes the program’s future remains bright despite the graduation of team captain Joseph Schultz.
“Our Crew team looks strong as they have been together for two years now,” Swick said. “We lost our senior captain Joe Schultz, but we already have a freshman from this year ready to fill his spot.”
Esports, or electronic sports, continues to grow rapidly in high schools and colleges across the country. Competitions center around organized multiplayer video games and often feature live broadcasts, commentary and large online audiences.
District 230’s recent results showed that both Stagg and Andrew remain among the top esports programs in Illinois.