Spartanburg High School is embracing the future of extracurricular activities with the debut of its highly anticipated esports team, the Viking Vanguard. Spartan High has taken a step forward by establishing the newest competitive team. So far, the team has competed in an event, winning with a score of 3-1 against a team from Pennsylvania. The Vanguard claimed victory in a game called “Marvel Rivals,” a popular title celebrated for its action-packed gameplay and strategic depth.
The team has wasted no time getting started, diving headfirst into various training sessions that emphasize skill-building and teamwork. Students have been meeting regularly to analyze gameplay, refine their strategies and prepare for upcoming competitions. These efforts have already created a buzz throughout the school, drawing interest from many students and staff who are excited to see esports grow and compete at Spartanburg High School.
Ian Rhodes (11), a team member on the Viking Vanguard, has gained valuable experience and knowledge while playing with his team competitively.
“Competitions are pretty basic. Most of the students log on to the PCs and use an app that tracks the progress of the game and our opponents,” Rhodes said. “When it comes to training sessions, we have separate team leads per game. ‘Marvel Rivals’ will use an app called AimLab, where we run through aim practices before hopping into a practice session on ‘Marvel Rivals’ to work on combos. Teamwork is the biggest factor in the entire game. You can’t win a multiplayer game without proper communication. Playing as a team will change the tide of the game.”
In addition to improving their in-game abilities, the Viking Vanguard has spent hours actively preparing to compete in tournaments at the local, regional and even national levels. The students hope to make their mark in the esports and gaming community by showcasing their talents in a setting that continues to gain recognition in the world of competitive gaming.
Endra Biggerstaff, one of the esports team coaches at Spartanburg High School, enjoys being part of the school’s newest extracurricular program.
“The league that we participate in competes against teams around the East Coast, not just in South Carolina. We have competed against teams as far as Pennsylvania. We have ‘Super Smash Brothers,’ ‘Marvel Rivals’ and ‘Rocket League.’ We also have a stream team, which consists of students who like to commentate, record gameplay and engage with other teams,” Biggerstaff said.
Elizabeth Hinton is also an esports coach and has loved having the opportunity to teach and learn more.
“We have a great team that we have been able to work with since the start. I have enjoyed being able to see how students can display their passion and skill early on in a new step for extracurriculars not just at the school but across the whole country,” Hinton said.
The formation of the Viking Vanguard shows Spartan High’s commitment to increasing students’ interests and providing more opportunities that appeal to many. The inclusion of esports as an extracurricular activity is a great way to encourage after-school participation while promoting personal growth, teamwork and new friendships.
Whether they are earning points in-game or rallying support among their peers, the students of the Viking Vanguard are poised to bring a new dynamic energy to Spartanburg High School. With their sights set on success, this groundbreaking team is ready to make an impact in the world of competitive esports.
