BARNEGAT – The local governing body honored two local school district esports teams earlier this month for their impressive victories at the Garden State Esports Fall State Championships held at St. Elizabeth University. The Bengals returned home with not one but two state titles, marking a significant achievement for the program.
The Barnegat High School Smash Bros. Valkyrie team, comprised entirely of female players, secured the State Champion title in their category, showcasing their skills and talent on a grand stage. This win was particularly noteworthy as it challenged the stereotype that professional gaming is solely dominated by male players.
In addition to the Valkyries’ victory, the Barnegat High School League of Legends team also emerged victorious, securing the coveted state championship title in their respective category. This double win demonstrated the depth and talent within the school’s esports program, solidifying its position as a leading force in the state.
The Smash Bros. Valkyries are state champions. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Barnegat High School’s esports program has grown exponentially since its beginnings in January 2020. Starting with just 15 students and two teams, the program now includes 50 participants, boasting 10 competitive teams.
“In nine seasons, 13 teams made the playoffs,” shared Committeeman Alfonso “Al” Cirulli as he introduced the honorees. “Three teams were finalists, taking second place in New Jersey. Three teams were state champions – number one in New Jersey.”
Barnegat became the first public school to award varsity letters for esports, with 37 varsity letters given since the start of the program.
“Jacob Giordano, a BHS alumni, received an academic scholarship to New Jersey City University,” Cirulli shared. “He was made a starting member of their varsity Rocket League team. In his second year, he was named captain of that team.”
The Barnegat High School League of Legends team won statewide. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Cirulli also acknowledged the accomplishments of Barnegat High School senior Jack Shive, who has attracted attention from several colleges for their esports casting programs. In casting, students assume the role of narrators, delivering live play-by-play commentary to guide viewers through the unfolding action on the screen.
While the Barnegat Township Committee’s recognition of the high school’s esports program was a cause for celebration, it surprised some of the parents. At an April Board of Education meeting during the budget discussion, several local governing body members were present when esports members received recognition for a different round of success.
None of the current committee members explicitly questioned the program. However, two former mayors expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of competitive video gaming as a sport.
Senior Jack Shive is being scouted as a caster for college teams. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
A parent who was at that meeting pointed out that no one seemed to question the accomplishments of the district’s traditional sports that evening. He wondered if the difference was the use of a virtual field or misconceptions about the program.
Visiting The Esports Lab
Eager to share their passion and celebrate their recent success, the Barnegat High School esports team buzzed with excitement. Lined with top-notch computers, the room buzzed with activity as players practiced their skills and strategized for future competitions.
Enthusiasm for the program is palpable, with team members and coaches eager to share their experiences. Leading the charge are dedicated coaches Traci Sellers, Joe Saar, and Wesley Brown.
Students who participate in esports are required to follow guidelines set by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) for all athletes. This includes maintaining passing grades and regular attendance.
“I’m actually stricter than that,” said Sellers. “You can’t be on varsity if you’re failing a class – because you could technically be passing overall even if you’re failing a class.”
The League of Legends team, coached by Brown, included Jason Nguyen, Renzo Monteza, Justin Nguyen, Aidan Gusky, and Aidan Cronen. The amount of practice they put in to get the win required a great deal of dedication.
“I like to use chess as a very close comparison to League of Legends,” shared Brown. “It’s just that instead of the number of pieces in chess, there are 160 in League of Legends. You have to know how every single one of them works and how they work together.”
The comparison of chess to a video game might seem a bit outlandish – until one considers the amount of strategy and determination it takes to the play the game. There’s also the matter of teamwork and communication.
“That’s the biggest one, I’d say,” Gusky said. “Communication, and there’s also keeping information in the back of your mind that you need to know.”
“It also gives more motivation,” continued Gusky. “And helps with life lessons.”
Cronen, a freshman, is also a member of the marching band. Brown pointed out there are a lot of similarities between marching bands and esports competitions.
“Marching band has a lot of troubleshooting and requires teamwork,” he said. “A lot of practice skills carry over.”
In the traditionally male-dominated world of esports, Garden State Esports took a bold step by championing all-girl competitions. This initiative provided a platform for female players to showcase their talent and compete on a level playing field.
Members of the Barnegat High School Esports teams were recently honored for two state championship wins by local officials. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Saar led the Valkyries’ Smash Bros. team, which was comprised of three exceptional players: Chloe Caccagna, Kayla Crawford, and Delaney Fetcher. Under Saar’s guidance, the Valkyries honed their skills and developed an impressive level of teamwork, ultimately achieving the coveted State Champion title.
“I like competing in general and especially like to play Pac-Man,” Kayla shared. “He’s been my icon my entire life.”
Kayla added that competing in esports has helped her to make new friends and improved her communication skills.
One of the definite advantages of esports seems to be its ability to take otherwise introverted students and make them more comfortable with others. It’s something that Saar says he notices with regularity.
Voice Of Esports
In his senior year at Barnegat High School, Jack Shive has already accomplished a great deal. He recently earned the prestigious Eagle Scout award, demonstrating his dedication and leadership skills. However, his journey wasn’t always easy. Shive admits to being a bit shy in the past, but that all changed thanks to his involvement in esports.
“Jack is the voice of esports here at Barnegat,” declared Saar. “He’s been used quite a few times from Garden State Esports to cast games live.”
Shive currently serves as the main caster for the Rocket League, captivating audiences with his deep voice and engaging commentary. This talent has even caught the attention of colleges, who see the potential for Shive to contribute to their esports leagues.
“Esports really got me social again,” Shive said. “I really didn’t have a close group of friends and esports got me out of my shell and talking.”
“It’s also hard to be shy when you’re talking in front of upwards of 100 people,” he added with a laugh.
During the interview with the esports team members, Shive also drew a comparison between esports and chess, highlighting the strategic thinking and skillful execution required in both activities.
“Just think of a bunch of pawns with swords,” Jack said. “And, there you have it.”
No one would dare to think chess players deserve anything less than recognition and respect. The esports players couldn’t have been happier to have their wins showcased by local government officials. The recognition validates their hard work and dedication and sends a powerful message that esports deserves a place alongside traditional sports.
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