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John Marshall esports team makes history as it heads to state (Video)
CMSD NEWS BUREAU
4/11/24
The John Marshall esports team had one goal this season: to qualify for the state championship match.
They achieved that goal after finishing second during regionals. They will now compete in the Super Smash Bros. tournament against the best in Ohio at the University of Akron.
This is the day that Julian has been eagerly anticipating for the past three years.
“Making it to states is something I've wanted to do since I was a sophomore,” said the now-graduating senior. "That is when I realized that there were so many good teams around the state, I wanted to be at least in that top group that makes it to states.”
This marks the first time in the school's history that the team has made it to state. Their coach, Arley "Mr. T" Trujillo, a 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, now has a new goal of bringing home the championship trophy. He is preparing his team to play against the best in Ohio.
“I am watching film on the other seven teams that are going to be there so that I am familiar with the players,” said Mr. T, a computer science and math teacher at John Marshall School of Information and Technology., "So then when my students must go up and play, I can give them a scouting report.”
This achievement is bittersweet as they had to beat their rivals, the Digital Arts esports team, in the District’s Senate League and regionals to make it to state. However, the team has gained respect in other sports.
"We have athletic coaches being like, ‘Wow’, this is a major accomplishment,” said Mr. T. “It finally feels like the esports program has cemented itself as an official sport at John Marshall because of the state qualification.”
Some of his players are being considered for esport scholarships at the collegiate level. Yadiel, a senior, is speaking with representatives from Baldwin Wallace University.
“It is definitely something I wanted,” said Yadiel. “I have devoted a lot of time to esports, so to be considered for a scholarship is really cool."
But right now, the team is working to smash the other teams to become champs.
“We are all happy to see our hard work finally pay off,” said Julian. “I hope we can carry the momentum from regional to state and bring home the trophy.”