Esports, short for electronic sports, is growing fast especially among high school students. One local high school recently earned some top honors in esports.
A.C. Flora High School’s esports team won the South Carolina Scholastic Esports state championship for Rocket League. The championship was held May 10 at Midlands Technical College.
The team also won the Rocket League championship in the Lexington One Invitational in March, the first major in-person esports event that Richland One’s esports teams have competed in.
“Winning the invitational was super exciting, and being able to win the state championship as well solidifies how great of a year it was for the team,” said Bobby Gunshefski, the head coach of A.C. Flora’s esports team.
Richland One’s competitive esports program launched in February 2025 at all of the district’s high schools.