Titans to compete in esports State Tournament this weekend
Aberdeen Central High School will be hosting the Fenworks South Dakota esports state tournament, set to take place this weekend, February 14–15, 2025. This exciting event showcases the rapid rise of competitive gaming in schools across South Dakota.
During the South Dakota esports state tournament, 16 high schools and their student esports teams will face off against one another for the coveted state championship in their title.
Tea Area High School will have seven students competing.
In the single player competitions, senior Jesse Wipf and junior Henrik Rimmer will compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Wipf comes in as the 32nd seed and Rimmer as the seventh seed.
The League of Legends features 5-person teams. Representing Tea Area in this event will be senior Jonathon Schlunsen, junior Henrik Rimmer; sophomore Jaxon Johanneson; sophomore Vanessa Halling; and sophomore Benjamin Grunewaldt. The team from Tea Area enters as the third seed.
For League of Legends, the top eight teams qualify for the state tournament and for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the top 32 players qualify.
This marks the second year the Titans will be competing in the esports State Tournament.
“After a successful pilot season last year, we have continued to build on that initial success. With many more schools participating in esports across the state, the level of competition has increased, challenging our kids even more,” said Titan esports coach, John Schmidt. “They have all been having fun while also putting in a lot of work throughout the season. Now, all six of them are excited to have a chance to compete at the state tournament in Aberdeen.”
Nationwide, esports have become more popular, with some colleges even offering esports scholarships.
In South Dakota, esports is a sanctioned activity for schools across the state thanks to the support and approval of the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA), led by Executive Director Dan Swartos and its board members.
Once an activity is sanctioned by the SDHSAA, it is formally reviewed, granted official approval, and authorized to operate under a school’s supervision in accordance with the SDHSAA’s rules and regulations.