All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

WVWC Esports team hosts first in-person tournament for West Virginia high school students

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Esports Team proudly hosted the first-ever in-person event of the West Virginia Scholastic Esports League, bringing together 140 students from schools across the state to compete for the top spots of the season’s competitions.

Players participated in games like Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., Brawlhalla, Apex Legends, and Valorant, experiencing competition akin to traditional athletic events. Students met other players they had faced online and shared their passion for the games and a mutual love of pizza, according to WVWC head coach Ethan Hayes.

Chase Jarrell of Ravenswood High School said, “This event was absolutely wonderful. Coach Hayes and the Wesleyan team did an incredible job hosting and making the event feel like the pinnacle of our season. Meeting all the other coaches and their players from around the state was worth the trip alone. I’m very much looking forward to the next edition!”

The event winners included Super Smash Bros. from Hedgesville High School, Brawlhalla from Brooke High School, Apex from Ripley High School, Overwatch from Webster County High School, and Valorant from Brooke High School.

In Fall 2024, WVSEL schools aimed to foster student participation and scholarship opportunities from various colleges supporting esports. The LAN event was limited to games with at least eight competing teams; other titles continued their season online. Buckhannon-Upshur High School achieved a clean sweep through both brackets. Madden2024 was claimed by a competitor from Hedgesville, and in Siege brackets, Wirt County High and Hedgesville traded undefeated brackets. These teams and students diligently honed their skills and communication to excel at their first LAN.

This event marked a debut for Wesleyan’s esports media team. Students managed aspects of tournament production. Hayes said, “I am incredibly proud of my students. For their first event to accommodate 140 students while controlling most errors is a massive undertaking. They set the bar incredibly high for future events.”

With the event’s success, WVWC esports plans to expand scholarship efforts into areas like graphic design, media production, and color commentating.

“We need talented students willing to spearhead this effort and help improve upon future events,” Hayes added.

WVWC Esports aims to host more events for West Virginia students and the community. “This seems silly not to do,” Hayes said. By creating a scale platform for esports, they foster program longevity and strengthen the state’s gaming community.

WVWC is dedicated to creating a sustainable esports environment. For those interested in collegiate esports, starting a scholastic program, or sponsoring, contact Coach Hayes at hayes.e@wvwc.edu.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Summer basketball

Summer league basketball wraps up week two

Week two of the Upshur County Summer Basketball League concluded with standout scoring performances and multiple games, including two forfeits by Country Roads Physical Therapy.

City council to review water board’s recommendation for new water treatment plant

The Buckhannon Water Board has recommended moving forward with a new water treatment plant and related infrastructure upgrades, sending a proposal to the city council for approval.

Gail Lovel Zickefoose

Gail L. Zickefoose, a dedicated educator, community leader, and beloved family man, passed away peacefully at age 83 after a long illness, leaving a legacy of service, kindness, and devotion to others.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: July 15, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council released the agenda for its upcoming July 15, 2025, meeting.

Upshur County Relay for Life aims to raise $35,000 for cancer research on July 19

The Upshur County Relay for Life will host its annual event July 19 at Jawbone Park, aiming to raise $35,000 for cancer research while celebrating survivors and bringing the community together through activities and remembrance ceremonies.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital team members engage in statewide healthcare leadership program

Two WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital employees were honored by the West Virginia Hospital Association Leadership Academy, with Paula Cutright graduating and Matthew Scott selected for future participation in the statewide healthcare leadership program.

Post 7 drops outings to Doddridge and Morgantown

Buckhannon Post 7 suffered consecutive road defeats, falling 10-2 to Doddridge County and 11-0 to Morgantown Post 2, dropping their season record to 2-15.

Summer basketball league begins week two

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League entered its second week with standout performances from top scorers including Cory Harper, Dalton Hamrick, Cordell Nicola, and Vinny Snuffer leading their teams across multiple games.

Buckhannon City Council Special Meeting Agenda: July 15, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council has released the agenda for its special meeting scheduled for July 15, 2025.