WACO students play in the eSports arena February 23. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

The first eSports arena in an Iowa secondary school just opened and it’s at WACO High School.

eSports is a form of competition using video games, and it introduces a new type of athlete to the WACO School District. The WACO eSports team has grown from about 10 students last school year to approximately 40. It’s popularity grew when the arena lab was built this winter, with funding from the district and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation.

Team Captain Tim Ackles says it blew his mind how eSports became a reality, “Growing up a lot of kids today just start with video games, so now that they can take it to the competitive level and try their hearts out on it. That’s just something they’ve really enjoyed, and it really gathers the team together like any traditional sport would.”

Seventh graders McKenzie Vradenburg and Grace Fort say they’ve made a lot of new friends on the team, especially with students they wouldn’t typically interact with.

Technology Coach Drew Ayrit says eSports are a way for students to work together, “You can see like most of these guys, we look around the lab’s full. We’ve got about 25 kids in here right now. None of them are playing by themselves, so they’re all playing on teams with each other. They’re talking to each other, building strategies, they’re problem solving, they’re communicating. So it’s really about providing another opportunity for students to get that team setting and really be a part of something bigger than themselves, and learn those cooperation and communication skills.”

The team is working this year on developing their gaming strengths with hopes to compete against other school teams next year.

Student Zach Schmitz plays Leage of Legends in the WACO eSports arena and innovation lab. Photo by Sam McIntosh.