Downey tops rival Warren for Esports championship

Downey High’s winning team, the Trunk Monkeys, celebrate their Esports championship. (Photo courtesy DUSD)

DOWNEY – Downey Unified, in partnership with the Carrot Group, announced Downey High School as the winner of the fourth annual Overwatch Downey Unified Esports High School Championship presented by PacificWest. This is the second time Downey High School has won this tournament against rival Warren High School.

Members of Trunk Monkeys, the winning team for Downey High School, included: Gio Aguirre (junior), Brandon Astudillo (senior), Andrew Escobedo (junior), Isaac Morales (junior), Amado Necochea (junior), Anthony Rojo (senior) and Aidan Cervantes (junior). The coaches were David Krauss and George Beaver.

The best-of-five final match was the culmination of a six-week program, managed by HighSchool.GG, where students formed six-member teams and competed against the other teams within each school.

Eleven teams from Downey High School and 10 teams from Warren High School competed in the Downey Unified Esports League (DUEL). Students from Columbus High School were also part of the competing teams at each school.

DUEL is part of Downey Unified’s MADE Initiative, a College and Career Readiness program headed by Director John Harris. The goal of MADE is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their post-secondary educational and career goals, all while being supported with the learning environment to do so.

“We are thrilled for Downey High School and I am proud of how our students worked together over the course of this six-week tournament to ultimately triumph during the championship match,” stated Superintendent Dr. John Garcia.

“This tournament embodies everything we are trying to do with our students to align with our district’s vision to ensure they are college and career ready, globally competitive, and citizens of strong character. As this is still the first and only high school Esports program in the region with an integrated career exploration and workforce development component, we are proud to provide this innovative program to help our students learn and grow.”

Each member of the winning team received a grand prize package which includes a customized trophy, a video gaming accessories package from industry leading SteelSeries, and a championship ring from Herff Jones.

The team will also be meeting with top gaming industry leaders at Gen.G’s Santa Monica headquarters. Additionally, Downey High School received the coveted district trophy that will be showcased in the main office and a $1,000 gift certificate towards computer supplies.

The objective of DUEL is to demonstrate to students how their interest in video gaming could turn into prospective career opportunities, all while addressing a positive approach to healthy competition including teamwork, leadership, resilience and problem solving.

All participating students have participated in a virtual Workforce Development session from educational partners such as Survios, Steel Sports, Orange Coast College as well as leading game designers.

All students who participated in DUEL are also eligible to enroll in two out of three free online Game Design courses, each worth three transferable graded college credits, offered by Orange Coast College.

“Thank you to PacificWest for sponsoring the Championship and congratulations to Downey High School for bringing home the coveted district Esports trophy for the second straight year,” said Alan Zack, President of Carrot Group.

“This was a tremendously successful tournament with the highest number of competing teams. We are excited to see how the students are using the gaming skills to change the world. Now, more than ever, we need programs like this to unite students, build their confidence, and help them explore career opportunities.”