ROCKINGHAM – Richmond Senior High School’s esports athletes are making serious noise in a statewide arena that blends competitive gaming with future-ready STEM skills.
The school joined the Varsity Esports and STEM League (VESL) last fall, a program designed to engage North Carolina students through esports while building pathways into science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Supported by the state and offered free to schools and students, the league has grown rapidly, from one district in 2022 to more than 300 schools participating today.
RSH teachers Mark Bell and Anthony Maynor serve as the program’s liaisons, guiding the team through a busy year of competition across four titles: Rocket League, Marvel Rivals, Super Smash Brothers, and College Football.
So far, Richmond athletes are racking up standout performances:
Rocket League: Undefeated season in the Contenders Division; playoffs started Thursday vs. Olympic
Marvel Rivals: Finished 4-1 in regular season; advanced to playoffs before a first-round exit
College Football: One RSHS player qualified among the top 12 in the state; playoff tournament this week.
Brawlhalla: RSHS earned a top 8 finish at the state championships last spring
Beyond game time, students participate in hands-on STEM experiences through VESL including digital media, game development, CAD and 3D modeling, and industry aligned challenges. The league’s online platform, TheNotWork, gamifies learning while connecting students to potential career pathways.
“This program brings out the same benefits students see in traditional athletics; structure, teamwork, scholarships, but it also opens doors in technology and engineering,” Julia Ryan from VESL.
Currently, schools statewide are heading into postseason play. Playoffs will run through mid-December in single-elimination brackets, with teams earning points toward State Finals qualification in Spring 2026.
Meanwhile, Richmond’s esports students are also competing in “December Dash,” a new series of fast paced mini challenges that award prizes and even a pizza party for the top performing school.
With the competitive drive and academic innovation working hand in hand, esports at Richmond Senior High are proving that athletics can happen anywhere, from the field to the screen.