ESports is a growing phenomenon in Mount Vernon with a dedicated high school team entering its second year. With technology advancing and gaming growing in popularity, new categories are forming in the online community. Super Smash Bros is one of the most played games on the Nintendo Switch.

Lance Eriksen, a senior, decided to have his own take on the game – but in a local way. Last year, he got together with his closely knit friend group to try something new. Putting a team together was not an easy task, but with the help of friends and custodian/coach Spencer Schmidt, it was made possible.

“Normally, tournaments that are big have tons of funding,” Ericksen said. “Think of it like a small business versus Google. Locals are important to small businesses like players are essential to competitions.” Currently, the team relies heavily on members bringing their own equipment and volunteering their time to make things work, but Eriksen is looking for ways to fundraise.

Practices and competitions are held at MVHS. There currently isn’t a big local following, so traveling to another school isn’t an option. 

In the game, you have a team of five people. On that team of five, the players cycle through matches, one person at a time. Each player has three “stocks” or lives. Eriksen explained that strategy and character selection is essential to winning the game. You need to choose your player wisely in order to win. Depending on skill and player choice, one person could beat an entire team. 

COVID-19 has affected playability for the 2020-2021 season. Eriksen explained that due to social distancing guidelines, they can’t have an in-person audience to cheer the team on. 

This year is very different from last year’s team. The sport is growing rapidly and solid plans are being set in place. Currently, the practices and competitions are solely at MVHS. According to Eriksen, as team captain, last year was mostly just practicing and learning how to lead. He eventually came up with a very structured plan to train the team.

“I did lots and lots of research over the break and learned methods to teach people. It’s a mixture of PE and a classroom in a game sense… drills, teaching how things are optimal. I know we lost the final last year, but it was one of the best games. It was the pure embodiment of what the sport should be. We got so close to beating the other team, we were within stocks. Having improved within that short amount of time was amazing.” The team is practicing lots more this year in hopes of being 2020’s champion. 

Eriksen is strongly encouraging others to try out. Esports is just beginning to gain a following but a majority of the Mount Vernon team are juniors and seniors, soon to graduate. He asks the younger high schoolers or possibly middle schoolers to step up and try something new.

“It’s a growing sport, there’s going to be more and more knowledge, more and more funding. Esports is the next big thing.”