Longview ISD esports students shined both days of the Region 7 Esports Tournament, bringing home hardware at both levels. The Longview High School team claimed first place on Oct. 20, and the Judson Middle School team followed with a second-place finish on Oct. 21.
The Longview High School team of Cohen Hardison, Hiram Aguirre and Silas Gilbert topped the regional field to take the championship. The win adds another title to the district's Lobo Gaming program and shows the work these students have put in as a team. "This team showed up ready and played for each other from the first match to the last," said Riley Reedmer, Longview High School esports coach. "They earned this title, and I'm proud of how they represented Longview."
One day later, Judson Middle School's team of Joseph Galvan, John Lewis, Elijah Cawich and Brody Ross earned second place. The finish gave the middle schoolers valuable experience competing at the regional level, experience they can carry forward as they move toward high school. "Our students competed with a lot of heart against tough competition," said Nic Moore, Judson Middle School esports coach. "Bringing home second place at region 7 is a big step, and it gives them something to build on."
"Seeing both our high school and middle school teams on the podium in the same week shows what is being built across Longview ISD," said Jeremy Stout, Longview ISD's director of esports and digital media. "These students put in the work, and it showed."
The success extends beyond the players at the computers. Longview students also worked the tournament for the Longview Esports program, running social media, shooting photography and capturing videography throughout both days.
Those roles connect students' interests with skills used in digital media, broadcasting and event production. A student drawn to gaming can discover an interest in operating a camera, telling a story or creating content that shares a live event with the community. It is the same mix of competition and creation at the heart of the district's Gaming Science and Digital Media pathway.
The photos and videos students captured at Region 7 will be featured in the Longview Esports student content gallery, which will be available soon.
Families interested in the Gaming Science and Digital Media pathway and Lobo Gaming can explore program information through Longview ISD.
