William Byrd High School freshman Nathan Pickeral, senior Ethan Garlick, senior Landon
Caldwell and senior Finley Stephens recently won first place in the state in Rocket League
Esports, competing against the top eight teams in Virginia. They are coached by WBHS English
instructor Mitchel Burkhart.
Nathan Pickeral, Ethan Garlick, Landon Caldwell, and Finley Stephens with Coach Mitchel
Burkhart. (photo courtesy of Mitchel Burkhart)
The competition took place on April 20 at Old Dominion University. William Byrd beat
Tallwood High School (Virginia Beach), Lord Botetourt High School, and South Lakes High
School (Reston), in order to become Rocket League state champions.
“We have been state runner-up four times in the past, so this was a huge day for our students
who have been working hard and getting better each year,” said Burkhardt. “It was nice for the
students who have been a part of the Esports programs from Day 1 to be able to leave their
senior year with a championship.”
The first esports (“e” stands for “electronic”) team at William Byrd formed in the fall of 2019
when a student approached Burkhart and expressed an interest in starting a team. It has become
the fastest growing sport at high schools all over the nation.
Rocket League has been described as “souped-up soccer.” The video game involves rocket-
powered vehicles playing soccer in a virtual arena with supersized balls and goals.
According to video game experts, Rocket League is a very difficult game which requires quick
and critical thinking, communication between players, hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and
situational awareness. Team members work together in constant collaboration, moving the ball
up the field as their cars flip and soar through the air.
The esports team falls under the Academics category of the Virginia High School League. Other
VHSL Academics teams at Byrd include the Academic Team, Speech and Debate, and Theatre.
Students must meet all the grade/eligibility requirements that are set by the VHSL to compete,
with the exception of a physical. Students who fall behind in their grades can’t practice or
compete.
Esports aren’t just fun and games– college scholarships are a large part of the picture, along with
the potential for high-paying jobs. The games are overcoming their previous reputation as being
a loner activity. Nowadays, esports involve developing communication skills, multi-tasking,
teamwork, and keeping up grades in order to participate.
