AS CLUBS at Granger High were being made, one club in particular was made for gaming students who love to compete while having fun with friends. Granger High has made its very own E-sports club that recently competed at the state level against other schools. The two teams that competed in state were the varsity Mario Kart team and the varsity Smash Bros. Ultimate team, which includes: Cole Bickley (11), Elizabeth Angel (12), Faysal Ali (11), Tyrel Okelberry (11), Corrina Culver (11), Aiden Yearsley (10), Darron Taylor (10), Blaz Gonzalez (12), and Michael Whitmore (11).

Culver is part of the varsity Mario Kart team. “Honestly, the maps that we got were our worst ones,s and our teamwork was really off, but we still tried really hard and were all really happy we got to participate,” Culver said. Even though they didn’t get the results they wanted, the team still tried and was happy to be there, especially since going up against other schools made it more fun.

As they competed with other schools, they made new friendships. It makes teamwork stronger with their own teammates. When preparing for competitions, each student makes sure to help each other out when they really need it to prepare for their games. While helping each other out, they must also compete to figure out who does better at what and who goes on which team.

“So first we trained and played against each other on the team, and then that’s how we decided to do our ranks,”  Angel said. She was a good team player for the varsity Smash Bros. team, and her teamwork helped them last a while in matches, as they beat everyone except another undefeated team.

Being part of the Smash Bros. team means she has to adapt quickly to new situations and rules, compared to when she goes against her teammates.

“We made it through the 1st round, but in the second round we went up against the #1 team, at the time we were ranked 16th. I was supposed to play, but I gave up my place for someone who I thought would be better, but he ended up having an unfortunate turn of events and ended up failing, which caused us to lose,” Yearsley said.

“I thought it was pretty cool since this is the 1st time we’ve ever gone to state, and there’s a first time for everything,” Okelberry said.