League of Legends: Esports in the Top 25 in the Nation
Coach Hubble and Coach Applegate holding their state championship cups and medals.
By: Joesi Soto
Editor’s Note: According to new information, we are now ranked number three in the nation as of week six in the PlayVS fall competition.
Gaming culture has skyrocketed throughout the years, becoming more socially acceptable; so much so, that we have competitions for certain games. Four years ago, Jenks’ Esports began as just a club with nothing. Now, they have won state championships and are in the top 25 in the country. Though Esports doesn’t get its recognition, they work hard to get where they are now. Having recently been deemed a “sport” by the Oklahoma Secondary School Athletic Association (OSSAA), the team reached the top 25 in PlayVS – the national Esports competition for multiple games – with an 87.50% winning match, securing spot 17.
Corey Hubble started the Esports club with two other members and began the Esports class soon after. Starting with nothing, they built this community brick by brick. Though some people think this class is just a free class, they showed their worthiness quickly. Rapidly, they grew from a club to a class, going to state competitions yearly. Competing in the Oklahoma ESports League (OESL) and PlayVs, they play matches nearly daily.
“You don't think it's a sport and yet here my kids are competing for state championships and you're not doing anything” said Coach Hubble.
Coach Hubble challenges the belief that their teams don’t do anything, proving that they’re underrated and a hidden gem in our sports. Two coaches are needed to regulate the students playing, and with the departure of Mr. Foster; a new (just as amazing) coach joins the league!
Though this is Levi Applegate’s first official year on the Esports team (he coached chess voluntarily last year), he has managed the teams perfectly.
Though there are many harmful stereotypes in every clique and sport, the Esports community has single-handedly had the brunt of it. Regarding the stereotypes of Esports, the coaches are positive that the stereotypes will fade away as it becomes more and more socially acceptable and popularized. Watching people play games has been popularized during quarantine and streaming apps like Twitch; which leads us to believe that soon enough the harmful stigma will disappear.
“And yet people want to criticize it for being like, oh, it's not a sport. And yet these are the same people that will watch it,” said Coach Hubble
Applegate goes on to mention how perspective is different for all.
“ I think it's just gonna be a matter of changing those perspectives as society changes. And I think if you asked someone who's 70 about it versus someone who's 40 about it versus someone who's 18 about it, you're gonna get widely different answers,” said Coach Applegate
As in every community, some people may be better or more devoted to the sport. Calvin Lee, a freshman, is in the top 1-2 globally in BeatSaber (a game competing in the fall semester!). With his addition to the team, the coaches believe he will help the rest of the team become better at the game.
“We don't want to just be in first place, we want first, second, and third. Like bring these kids up to [Lee’s] level,” said coach Applegate
Esports isn’t just video games, it’s learning new skills and holding each other accountable just as any other sport. With a community like this that holds one another accountable and helps their teammates flourish with feedback and in-depth training. Being able to sit in their classes and watch them train and play matches, I have personal experience of seeing how devoted these players are to their work and their teammates.
Our Esports class is a community that holds each other responsible, and that’s why we are 17 in the nation! If you’re interested in any of the games or anything else, visit Mr. Applegate or Mr. Hubble for more information. For more, visit USA Today's article. , PlayVs , OESL and follow Our Esports teams instagram!
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