Harrisburg eSports club members prepare for the PA Cup
Two Harrisburg High School eSports teams are headed to compete in a statewide playoff competition later this week.
The PA Cup tournament, hosted by Harrisburg University, will take place Friday.
Both eSports teams play Marvel Rivals, a six-versus-six combat game. Based on past qualifying rounds, Harrisburg’s varsity team, “Phoenix,” is seeded in first place. Its junior varsity team, “Cerberus,” is seeded fourth.
Jadiel Ayuso, 17, Phoenix team captain, is eager for the playoff and confident in his team’s abilities.
“What I’m looking forward to is winning,” said Ayuso.
The senior, who has received an offer to attend HU for eSports coaching and team management, described the meet as a chance to highlight the importance of Harrisburg High’s eSports programming.
“Participating in the PA Cup not only proves that if we give people these spaces, they can be successful, but it lets people show off skills that they wouldn’t usually be able to show,” he said.
Run as a “club” that runs practices similarly to a sports team, Harrisburg High School’s program has only been active for one year.
Students in Harrisburg High School’s eSports club with teacher Kelsey Rittle (front right)
John Harris technology teacher Kelsey Rittle started the program.
Rittle, who teaches AP Computer Science Principles and intro to video game design, said participants must meet academic eligibility requirements, “no different than the football team.”
In addition to eSports training, she said the program teaches kids leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
“They’re learning responsibility and reliability,” she said. “If you flake on your team, when you’re one of six people, then there’s nobody to replace you and that’s a problem.”
Superintendent Benjamin Henry added that the program opens doors for students to explore potential careers in technology, STEM and competitive gaming.
“For many of our students, this is not just an extracurricular activity—it is a bridge,” he said.
Students in the club travel to the John Harris campus for practice. In addition to pulling from the flagship high school, team members come from SciTech, Cougar Academy and the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy.
Ash Perry, 17, team captain of Cerberus, joined the club to make friends. There’s a social aspect to the sport because you’re working collaboratively, the junior explained.
“You have that synergy, so that you can work together,” Perry said.
Fellow Cerberus member Eduardo Rodriguez Hernandez said the part of the PA Cup that he most looks forward to is simply participating.
“The aftermath celebration, that’s probably going to be one of my favorite moments,” the junior said.
eSports club members prepare for the PA Cup
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