In two conference rooms tucked inside the Trio Entertainment Complex, Oskaloosa High School students leaned forward in their chairs, headsets on, eyes locked to glowing screens, as the school’s eSports team competed in its first-ever home meet. What looked like a video game matchup was, in reality, months of preparation, strategy, and teamwork unfolding in real time against Newton High School.
A New Kind of Home Field
For team captain Logan Lint, the night marked a milestone.
“Today is actually our first time being away from the school for a game,” Lint said. “We’re playing Newton virtually, but we’re in proximity to each other. If we want to talk to them before or after, we can.”
That in-person element, rare in high school eSports, transformed what is typically an online-only competition into a true athletic-style event, complete with spectators, sportsmanship and community support.
Coach Connor Frederick said hosting a home meet gave legitimacy to a growing program.
“Football players get to have their home field every week,” Frederick said. “This gives our kids their own home field with a crowd. Parents came out to support their students, even though it’s a nontraditional activity.”
Strategy Behind the Screens
While some still view eSports as casual gaming, Lint was quick to challenge that assumption.
“A big misconception is that video games don’t take skill,” he said. “There are a lot of cognitive abilities you have to build, like strategic thinking and proactive thinking. You can’t really judge it unless you’ve done it.”
The team spent nearly two months preparing for the matchup, working through strategies and team compositions to improve communication and performance.
Matches follow a best-of-three format, with teams adjusting maps and gameplay styles based on wins and losses.
“There’s quite a lot of strategy that goes into it,” Lint said.
Senior Mason Beane, who joined the program his sophomore year after advocating for eSports to be added at Oskaloosa High School, said the experience goes far beyond entertainment.
“It’s a bunch of different characters with different abilities trying to work together and compete,” Beane said, referencing the popular game Overwatch. “But it’s also about teamwork and communication.”
Sportsmanship and Belonging
For many players, the home meet offered something new: face-to-face interaction with opponents.
“We usually just drop into the match online and hope we win,” Beane said. “This time we actually get to see who we’re going against, and people can come watch us play in person.”
That connection was echoed by Newton senior captain Zach Schwab.
“A lot of times you don’t get to interact with the other team since you’re not even in the same building,” Schwab said. “But I’ve talked to a couple of their players already, and they’re really nice.”
Schwab said the Newton team, which is in its first year of eSports, was excited for the opportunity to compete in person and build relationships.
“I hope we win,” he said with a smile. “But mostly I hope we walk away with new connections.”
Frederick noticed the same energy after matches ended.
“They weren’t just saying ‘GG’ [good game] in the chat,” he said. “They were talking in person about what heroes they played and exchanging ways to keep in touch.”
Lint added that eSports provides a place for students who may not feel connected to traditional activities.
“It’s been a thriving program,” he said. “For some people who feel like they don’t have a place to belong, eSports is somewhere they can.”
A Venue Built for the Future
The meet was hosted at TRiO Entertainment Complex, a space best known for food, golf simulators and movie theaters than competitive gaming.
Frederick said the flexibility of the venue made it an ideal partner.
“They’ve got conference rooms, golf bays and theaters,” he said. “In the future, we’re hoping to use a movie theater and project the match on the big screen behind the players so parents can cheer from theater seats.”
He estimated the complex could one day host multiple teams at once, potentially even serving as a state-level venue.
“The biggest thing is having teams in the same room for major competitions,” Frederick said. “This place definitely has the potential.”
Built With Community Support
The growth of the eSports program was made possible through community partnerships, including a $20,000 grant from Cargill Cares in Eddyville.
“That funding helped us build out the lab and make sure every student had access to equipment,” Frederick said. “Everyone started with the same opportunity.”
He also credited TRIO for going above and beyond as hosts, with staff arriving early to help set up equipment and ensure livestreams ran smoothly.
“They’ve been incredible partners,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As seniors, both Lint and Beane are preparing for life after high school, but said eSports has played a meaningful role in their education.
Lint plans to work in manufacturing to build financial stability before pursuing photography and voice acting.
Beane will attend Indian Hills Community College to study laser engineering and hopes to stay involved in gaming through a club or team.
For Frederick, the night represented more than a single competition.
“This showed that our community will support students no matter the activity,” he said. “And it showed our kids that what they’re doing matters.”
From strategic gameplay and teamwork to new friendships and community pride, Oskaloosa’s first home eSports meet marked a turning point for the program. What began as an online competition has grown into a student-centered experience rooted in connection, preparation, and support. With plans to host more events and expand opportunities, the future of eSports in Oskaloosa is just getting started.
