Esports Comes to DJDS at High Speeds 

At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, an esports club was introduced on Wednesdays as a club option. The club is headed by the Upper-Division Dean of Technology and Athletic Director Josh Lake and Learning Resource Center Director and Upper-Division English teacher Nathan Bankirer.

As the class gained popularity in the first semester, Lake and Bankirer spoke about taking the team to the competitive level against other schools across Colorado. 

Currently, the esports team consists of team captain David Monastyrskiy along with three other high schoolers and one middle schooler.

Next year, with Bankirer leaving DJDS, Mr. Sam Tluscik, DJDS upper division math teacher, will head the team with Lake. 

Team supervisor Lake said he wanted to have an esports team at DJDS because of his upbringing. Lake recalls how he would play multiple games with his friends growing up and he wanted to have that same experience here at DJDS for the students. 

Currently, the high school esports team plays Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via the Nintendo Switch Console. According to Lake, most students are experienced with Mario Kart 8, which makes it ideal for competition.

“Esports is more than just video games and most people don't understand that,” Lake said. Lake hopes that more students as well as parents will be able to recognize that.

Esports has grown across North America since 1972, since the era of Pong. Lake hopes for e-sports to continue to grow and for it to become more popular among students. He also hopes for esports to grow into games like Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers, Madden, and others offered through the Colorado High School Activity Association (CHSAA).

“Esports is a great opportunity for students who don't play soccer, basketball, volleyball, and other sports, to be a part of a team,” Lake said.

But will esports become the main sport at DJDS? Lake says that there is a possibility if there is enough interest, and that they may expand by getting servers for bigger games.

Currently, the DJDS esports team has a guaranteed spot in the playoffs this year.