LT’s eSports team takes 2nd in State

In its first year, Lyons Township High School’s eSports Overwatch team took 2nd place in the state. eSports, which stands for electronic sports, entails students competing against other high schools in team and solo based video games. All the video games have objectives that require team work, communication and skills that make students marketable to colleges and employers.

LT’s Overwatch team showed promise since their first match. In their first season, they were ranked in the top 16 teams in the nation after beating out hundreds of other teams. In December, the Illinois High School eSports Association (IHSEA) formed and the Overwatch team joined. They scheduled practices three times a week and continued to improve their skill and teamwork. Their season record was 8 wins and 0 loses. The semifinal and championship matches were played in person at the newly built eSports Arena at the Northern Illinois University Naperville Campus.

Last weekend, LT competed against Glenwood High School in the semifinals, where they won and continued into the championship round against Naperville North High School. After putting up an amazing defense and continuing to showcase their skills, LT took their first loss of the season but was granted the title of the 2nd best Overwatch team in Illinois.

The team is made up of 6 players:

Sean Swainson, Junior (LaGrange Park)

Cass Weber, Junior (LaGrange)

Erik Westegaard, Junior (LaGrange)

Ethan Velasquez, Senior (Brookfield)

Grace McGann, Junior (LaGrange)

Ben Racelis, Junior (Western Springs)