June 14, 2023 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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Sports 4- The Elk City News June 14, 2023 ELKETTES & ELKS * ELK CITY ECHS Seniors Jaunita Valadez, Aaralyn Cummings, and Max Xenos represented ECHS in the Oklahoma All-State game. All three students represented the West. The West won both games. Elk City High School senior gets SWOSU e-sports scholarship By Shonda Little Colleges at every level and public son,” said mother Jennifer Gordon. schools are working rapidly to develop “Some people see this as ‘just playing Each year, $2 billion dollars is given their own e-sports programs. In fact, the video games,’ but it is so much more than out in athletic scholarships to collegiate Arrowhead Activity Center located in Elk that. They can get certificates in different students. The fastest growing sport rep- City Ackley Park has a state-of the-art programming, or other tech stuff that I resenting that money is now e-sports. room designed to allow these athletes ac- don’t understand, simply from playing However, even as e-sports gain popu- cess to the best advancements to develop this sport in school and doing well. I larity and footing as a valid competition, into world-class players in this sport of am so proud that my kid is getting this many do not understand it. the future. chance to go to college through this, but Harvard University, which is an ag- Elk City High School is among the he has also already gained things that gressive supporter of e-sports athletes, schools who have implemented an can be put in his resume from playing. wrote, “Simply put, e-sports are video e-sports program, and is already seeing E-sports really offer an opportunity for games that are played in a highly-orga- smashing success. these students.” nized competitive environment. These Mentoring as he would any other In his spare time, Joshua Gordon en- games can range from popular, team-ori- sport, Coach Kaleb Murray helped super- joys gaming, baseball, and drawing. He ented multiplayer online battle arenas star Joshua Gordon secure an e-sports plans to major in engineering at SWOSU. (MOBAS), to single-player first-person scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma He is photographed with his mother shooters, to survival battle royals, to vir- State University. Jennifer, sister Kaylah, and his ECHS Mudcat fan Mia Trotter hopes fans will support her tual reconstructions of physical sports.” “I couldn’t be more excited for my and SWOSU coaches. brother Max and the Mudcats during the Arnold Lank- ford Tournament held July 13-16 at Charlie Joy Stadium in Elk City’s Ackley Park. clomnD eales 06 E7tn Streat - Em city, ox 73844 500) 225-4501 Phone: 520 249-1657 “Your ie (580) 225-4500 $50 $75 USRA MODIFIED f ccir mcrStuer 6 Months Add the e-paper to a print subscription for ¢/ per month