SHELBY — Nick Eddleblute launched the Shelby High School esports team a little more than three years ago.
A computer science/gaming teacher, Eddleblute has spent the past seven years teaching at Shelby City Schools. He’s taught in the high school building the past four years.
When he moved into his classroom at the high school, one of his students, Tristan Jones, asked Eddleblute why the district didn’t have an esports team.
“I was like, ‘I don’t know. I don’t think anybody has ever asked,'” said Eddleblute, the advisor for Whippet esports. “I kind of took it as my duty as the computer/gaming teacher to look into that and get it going.”
Since its inception, Eddleblute said the team averages between 15 to 25 players a year, depending on those graduating and incoming students.
This year’s team competing in Valorant — a five-versus-five character-based tactical video game — has already made history, but has its sights set on a state title.
Shelby’s esports team punched its ticket to the state tournament — which is set for April 26 and 27 at the University of Akron — after earning regional runner-up honors on April 6 at the Cedar Point Sports Center.
Esports Ohio coordinates middle and high school leagues, competitions and state championships. Like traditional athletics, students often meet for practice and competitions after school.
Eddleblute said the team is excited to compete soon at Akron.
“They take their student union and just set up all the rooms with different teams and computers,” he said. “We haven’t been there yet, but it sounds pretty cool.”
Ashland esports team also state bound
Eddleblute said he tries to keep up with other esports programs around the area — including Ashland, Mansfield, and Buckeye Central, among others.
He said Ashland also made it to regionals for Valorant, but did not advance. However, Ashland High School’s Super Smash Brothers team will be competing for a state title this year.
This past fall season, Ashland competitors Scottie Wade, Atticus Zickefoose, Brendan Sponsler and Ethan Kamp wonEsports Ohio’s 2024 Fall Classic for Super Smash Brothers Premier.
According to previous Ashland Source reporting, Aaron Coffy, the team’s coach, and Ben Spieldenner, Ashland City Schools’ esports director, said it was the first time the school has brought home a state championship in that particular game.
“It’s exhilarating that we’ve accomplished that goal, but we really want to bring home back-to-back hardware,” Wade told Ashland Source in December in regards to having another shot at a state title this spring.
Esports on the rise
Competitive video gaming, also known as esports, has grown in popularity over the past few years. Clubs and teams emerging in K-12 schools and colleges across Ohio.
Eddleblute said it provides a great alternative for students who may not be as interested in traditional high school sports.
“It is a cool thing for them to have their own space and actually be able to represent the school at the same time,” he said.
The program’s Valorant team includes four seniors — Tristan Stoffel, Tristan Jones, Peyton Murphy and Corbin Eldridge — and two juniors — Blake Stone and Brennan Weaver. Connor Bays is the lone sophomore.
Two alums — Hayden White and Jakob Kinser — help the team with planning, strategy and practice competition.
Stoffel a leader for Whippet esports
Stoffel is the team’s in-game leader — similar to the captain position in other sports. He said there are several layers to competitive gaming, specifically Valorant, besides moving a computer mouse.
Things like scouting, studying statistics and creating pregame plans are critical to the team’s performance. He said his interest in esports grew significantly his freshman year.
Stoffel had a study hall with White, who competed on the Overwatch and Valorant team.
“I watched him play and I played with him some and it made me realize how much depth the game had,” he said. “I had never seen anything like it.”
During the regional tournament, the Whippet esports team competed at a level Stoffel said he’s never seen. The result? A trip to state.
“The stress was pretty much gone (after securing a state bid),” he said. “It was awesome.”
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