The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo

The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo

The student news site of St. Louis Park High School

The Echo

Esports coach Jake Utities talks to the team in preparation June 2. The team will be playing in the state finals June 4-5.

Esports team reaches state

Aidan Shafton, Alex Geretz, and Noah Leventhal June 5, 2022

After making the Minnesota Varsity League State Championship for the second year in a row, sophomore Oliver Salita said he expects the team to place better than they did in last year’s tournament. “I...

Julian Johnson competes in Super Smash Bros

Julian Johnson competes in Super Smash Bros

Harris Keekley, Writer January 27, 2022

What made you want to start participating in Super Smash Bros tournaments? I was really good at it for no reason without practicing, so I decided to try it out. Since I was already really good at it,...

Senior strives for stake in booming eSports industry

Senior strives for stake in booming eSports industry

Grace Schultz February 18, 2021

Seniors Adin Zweigbaum and James Peterson have been working to expand esports to high schoolers by finding new communication strategies. Esports is a way to play video games competitively on a team or...

eSports coach Jake Utities points during the eSports meeting for the spring season March 5. Utities is a tournament organizer for Minnesota Varsity Leagues State championship, which moved online for League of Legends and Overwatch because of COVID-19.

eSports teams compete from home

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff March 17, 2020

With two substitutes filling in for absent players, senior Joseph Lindstrom said he was satisfied with the team's play at the online-championship that resulted in a loss against Wayzata in the inaugural...

Junior Angel Diaz smiles during the eSports meeting March 5. According to coach Jake Utities, the meeting was in preparation for the eSports spring season.

eSports holds meeting in preparation for spring season

Gabriel Kaplan and Noah Orloff March 9, 2020

Just like in athletic sports, eSports coach Jake Utities said the tenets of collaboration, perseverance and friendship are also key to eSports.  “This program gives an opportunity for those that...

Senior Michael Ramirez works with eSports team to plan strategies for their next game. eSports has its next meeting Dec. 12 to prepare for upcoming tournaments.

eSports adviser helps create Minnesota league

Kate Schneider December 9, 2019

eSports adviser Jacob Utities said he’s feeling very confident so far this year because of the opportunities given to new players and how eSports is continuing to grow in numbers. “I’m really...

Senior Joseph Lindstrom and sophomore Cole Blavat play a video game on the Nintendo Switch before the Esports meeting. The meeting was hosted to get the team members registered Sep. 12.

Former teacher returns as eSports adviser

Zuhayb Yassin October 22, 2019

Jacob Utities, a teacher that used to work at Park said there’s no difference between being a teacher and eSports adviser because he is still  mentoring students. “It gives me more time to help...

Senior Thomas Pelowitz practices his skills during eSports practice Feb. 28.

eSports virtual game makes real world cash

Tennam Gyaldatsang March 12, 2019

According to the coach of the eSports program Jacob Utites, eSports is involved in the college process.   “We have college recruiters coming in and offering scholarships to students for college,”...

Sophomore Nick Perszyk works on his strategies for the eSports team during its meeting Nov.15.

Participation in eSports grows

Tennam Gyaldatsang December 4, 2018

According to senior Jeremy Frham “Overwatch” requires quite a lot of skill in order to succeed at gameplay. “‘Overwatch’ is a team based strategy game,” Frham said. “It takes a lot of...

E-Sports coach Jacob Utities teaching his 5th hour class, A+ Computer Tech II, on Feb. 20. eSports will begin practice again in March.

eSports adviser prepares players for future

Lukas Levin February 20, 2018

According to coach Jacob Utities, Park’s eSports team will play online in Nationals in June after an undefeated season. However, Utities said he still struggles with managing and expanding team. “I...

Meet the athlete: Graham Campbell

Meet the athlete: Graham Campbell

Maddie Lund February 6, 2018

How did you get involved with eSports in the first place? And when did you get involved? “I play video games at home and I am in a class with Mr. Utites and he told (his students) about this idea of...

Junior Alessandro Giannetti and sophomore Joseph Lindstrom participate in eSports practice Nov. 9.

eSports moves on to nationals

Lukas Levin and Isaac Wahl December 20, 2017

As sophomore Joseph Lindstrom’s Overwatch team launched to victory, he said he felt proud of his achievement. “I’m just having a good time with my team and getting that feeling  we are united....

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