KILGORE, Texas — E-sports competitions are gaining popularity across the world and East Texas high schools are no exception. Most tournaments are contested online, but this week, high school e-sports players from across the area had the chance to battle in person.
Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore held the R7 eSports Winter Cup, an e-sports tournament that brought over 60 students from across 11 districts together for some fierce big screen competition, on Tuesday.
Elizabeth Walker, Region 7 Education Service Center director of digital learning, said this was the center's first ever e-sports tournament.
Elkhart High School e-sports coach Dustin Crawford said the tournament at Region 7 allowed students to come in and compete at something that they love, such as "Super Smash Bros."
Walker said the winner earned a gold trophy to display at their school district. She noted there's been a significant increase in the amount of schools adding e-sports teams over the past two to three years.
"The greatest thing about e-sports is that it offers an opportunity for students that aren't involved in anything else to be involved and be able to compete," Crawford said. "It's one of those things that most kids are into. It's hard to find a kid that doesn't play video games, and so when they get to compete at a high school level, it's just growing like wildfire."
Elkhart High School e-sports player Brody Gray said playing in a e-sports tournament takes a quick mind, the ability to relax and focusing on doing your very best.
"This is our third year for Elkhart High School to have e-sports. We've been able to amass a couple of state championships in the first two years in 'Mario Kart,' and we plan on adding a whole lot more in many different titles," Crawford said.
Walker added there aren't a lot of opportunities for schools to participate in local tournaments. So Region 7 wanted to provide that outlet to area students.
"E-sports for a lot of students, it gives them their place in high school," Crawford said.
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