HOWIE-IN-THE-HILLS, FLA — Three Peach Belt Conference men’s golf teams are among the top four following the first round of the NCAA South/Southeast regional at Mission Inn Resort (par 72, 6,960 yards). Columbus State is in second place with North Georgia third and USC Aiken fourth.

Florida Southern leads the event after shooting 8-under 280. Georgia Southwestern is tied for ninth with Flagler and Lander is in 13th. Round two will begin on Friday morning at 7:30am with round three on Saturday.

Flagler’s Joel Petersson and USC Aiken’s Erik Olin are both tied for second on the individual leaderboard at two-under 70. Petersson had five birdies on his round with only two bogeys, playing the back nine in bogey-free 35 (par 37). Olin had seven birdies in total and was also two under on the second nine.

Columbus State was led by a trio of players who each shot two-under 70. Pete Stansell had only two bogeys with four birdies and shot 35 on the back nine. Bernard Meyer had only one bogey with four birdies while Martin Gruendemann had five birdies on the day. Frederick Chappell rounded out the scoring for CSU with a 74 while Russell Makepeace had a 75.

North Georgia’s Ethan Day fired a two-under 70 while Colby Bennett and Jack Vajda were each one-under 71. Hughes Threlkeld shot one-over 73 with Hunter Smith one back at 74.

Olin was the only Pacer to finish under par. Mitchell McNeill shot even-par 72 while Nick Goellner and Oscar Abrahamsson were each one-over 73 and Karl Frisk two behind.

CSU is four strokes behind Florida Southern at four-under with North Georgia three under and USC Aiken one under.

At a minimum, the top three teams and the top two student-athletes not with a team from each regional will advance to the finals, May 19-23 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The remaining eight team berths will be allocated based on the regions represented in the prior year’s head-to-head medal play portion of the championships, with the maximum number of teams from a given region capped at seven. The finals will be hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Esports’ competitive season came to an end after the team took part in the Texas Scholastic Esports state championships May 1-3 at Baylor University. The Hawks took home state titles in “Valorant” and “IRacing”. 

“We had a crowd at every game, even if multiple teams were playing, there were at least some students at each station cheering for their teammates,” head coach Kristopher Phillips said. “To see how our program impacted the overall competition [was special.]” 

At state championships, junior Abby Pham and junior Jack Bodwell cast the finals — commentating and calling the match. Bodwell is the captain of the “Overwatch” team. They lost one game in the grand finals — finishing second. 

“I’ve never heard so many people inspired to win at once; it was amazing,” Bodwell said. “We lost, but we had brought a game that we were not supposed to win close, and I’m proud of the guys. Overall, it was an amazing experience, getting to lead a team to second place in nationals, and second place at state.”

This year, the program underwent change, dealing with the departure of former head coach Jaden Gorham, with Phillips taking his role. 

“I went into this season [viewing it] as a [learning experience,]” Phillips said. “Moving forward, we have opportunities to make changes to make this program stronger, more manageable and sustainable. I’m looking forward to what this [program] will look like moving forward.”

The team was supportive of each other throughout the season, helping each other grow in practice and use their time to build each other up. Phillips, Bowdell and Esports president Hansu Kim said the team’s atmosphere impacted their community positively.

“Winning is a good feeling—nothing really beats it,” Kim said. “You can’t look at a state championship as a disappointment. Together as a team, we grew [and bonded] well. Being able to have that connective energy while we’re playing is what makes this so much fun.”

Following the state championships, the team was supposed to compete in the High School Esports League (HSEL) in-person national championships, but they were canceled. Phillips said it was a huge disappointment to the program, despite them still viewing the season positively.

“The kids faced a bunch of adversity [this season] with things that were not within their control,” Phillips said. “I’m super proud of how the kids represented the school, represented themselves and their teammates. We competed at the highest level across all titles that we represent, and we walk away from the season showing that this program is as dominant as ever.”

After winning their fifth state title in three years earlier this spring, East Helena’s high school esports team has set its sights on the ultimate final boss: the first-ever U.S. esports national championship.

East Helena High is one of three Montana schools invited to compete in the inaugural National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors’ high school tournament, taking place June 17 in St. Louis alongside the association’s annual convention.

Teams from up to 20 states are gearing up for the national showdown, and East Helena will face off against schools with more established esports programs from states like Washington and California. While some of these schools compete as part of official athletic associations with league play and school funding, East Helena has earned its spot the hard way. 

A top contender in Montana, on the national stage the Vigilantes enter as the upstart and the underdog. Because this is the first year the national tournament will take place, the team had not expected to compete in St. Louis until the call on Apr. 7, the day after winning state.

“The call came out of nowhere,” said esports coach Mason Skains, who also works in maintenance and has been playing video games since grade school. “It’s a big step for our program.” 

The thrill of the invitation, however, soon gave way to uncertainty: would the team be able to scrape together the $3,000 needed to turn this dream into a reality? A club rather than a sanctioned sport, esports teams across Montana need to raise their own funds. 

Esports General Manager Marne Bender said the invitation to nationals came right after the team had depleted its budget at the state tournament. “So we were like, yay!” Bender said excitedly, then lowered her tone. “And then we were like…oh.” 

Undeterred, the team launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost of flights, lodgings, and expenses for five student athletes and a coach. By Thursday afternoon, the campaign had sped past its goal and hit $3600. “It’s awesome,” said sophomore esports athlete Kayleigh Peterson. “I’ve never been on a plane before.”

The tournament is also a college opportunity. LeagueOS, a company that runs most U.S. college esports leagues, is sponsoring the national tournament. The event will include a “recruiting combine,” where high schoolers get the chance to play in front of college esports coaches. 

Many universities with esports teams, including Boise State, University of Utah, Ohio State, and Valparaiso, offer scholarships and full-rides to top esports athletes. As of early 2025, more than 250 U.S. colleges and universities have varsity esports programs, and around 200 of them offer scholarships, including the University of Montana. 

Initially nervous to join due to the stigma around video games, Peterson described joining the esports team as “probably” the best decision she’s ever made. Now, her teammates are some of her closest friends. 

Critics knock esports as requiring little physical activity, and thus not an actual sport, but participants argue that it’s extremely mentally demanding. “The reality is so far from the stereotype it’s not even funny,” said Skains, adding that the sport requires strong collaboration and communication, technical skill, and advanced problem solving. 

He also said it’s a good option for students who might not find success in physical sports. “Don’t knock it until you try it,” he said.

The team trains on multiple video games, but its Valorant team is advancing to nationals. Valorant is a teen-rated, first-person tactical shooter game in which two teams of five go head-to-head, alternating between offense and defense. The attacking team tries to plant the “spike,” an explosive device, while the defenders work to defuse the spike once it’s planted. 

In addition to Peterson, East Helena students Ayden Dess, Myah Erickson, Joe Senecal, and Ben Paige play on the Valorant squad. Sophomore esports athlete Senecal attributed the team’s success to friendships built through playing together. His coach took a similar view. 

“This is way bigger than sitting in front of a screen playing a video game,” said Skains. “This is a team of individuals trying to accomplish something great.”

Fayette County Public Schools is one of five nominees for National Esports School District of the Year in the 2025 PlayVS Awards. Let’s bring this honor home! Voting is open until May 16, and you can vote daily:

Vote Now

This opportunity highlights the outstanding growth and impact of esports in FCPS.

Thriving Programs: Schools like Lafayette High, with over 30 student participants and top-ranked teams across multiple esports titles, illustrate the quality of our coaches.

State Leadership: At one point, three of our high schools ranked in the Top 25 for Super Smash Bros in Kentucky, showcasing the depth of talent across FCPS.

EPIC Growth: Our groundbreaking EPIC Esports program has expanded opportunities to 24 elementary and six middle schools, fostering early engagement and skill development.

Commitment to Equity: FCPS ensures all students can participate through reliable high-speed internet at their schools and secures funding for gaming equipment from community sponsors.

FCPS is competing against districts in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico for the national award. Tune in at twitch.tv/playvs June 5-6 for the PlayVS Cup Finals, where the winner will be announced! 

For general questions about esports in FCPS, please reach out to STEM learning coach Shad Lacefield. 

Being a professional esports player in 2025 sounds like a dream job to many. You get paid to play video games. You travel the world, get sponsorship contracts from brands like the 777, compete in tournaments, and have fans cheering you on. Just like traditional sports athletes, pro gamers live a life full of pressure and discipline.

The Training Never Stops

Many people think pro players just sit and play for fun. But that’s not the case. Pro gamers train every day, sometimes for 8 to 12 hours. It’s not just playing casually. They follow strict schedules, focus on improving skills, and work with their teams to win matches.

Each game is different, but in general, training includes:

• Playing ranked matches to stay sharp
• Studying other teams to learn strategies
• Reviewing game footage to fix mistakes
• Team scrims (practice games against other teams)
• Working with coaches to improve aim, tactics, and teamwork

Just like in sports, training also means warming up, keeping focus, and staying mentally strong. Some players even work with sports psychologists to stay calm during big matches.

Training doesn’t only happen on the screen. Many pro teams now include fitness routines too. Simple exercise helps players sit longer without pain, improves focus, and keeps them healthy. Sleep and food are also important. A tired or sick player won’t perform well, no matter how skilled they are.

The Pressure Is Real

Being a pro gamer comes with a lot of stress. Every match matters. Fans are watching. Sponsors expect results. And if you lose, social media can be harsh. Most players start their careers young — sometimes at 16 or 17. By their early 20s, they are already competing at the highest level. That’s a lot of pressure for someone still learning about life. One bad season can end a career. Some games change often with updates or new characters. What worked last month might not work today. Players have to adapt fast or fall behind.

To deal with this, many teams now have mental health support. Coaches encourage breaks, rest days, and open talks about stress. This helps players stay in the game longer and feel better overall.

How Much Do They Get Paid?

Money in esports has grown a lot. In 2025, top players can earn big paychecks. But not every pro is rich. Just like in sports, the top players and teams earn the most, while others make less. In total, a successful pro player can make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The very best players in the world may earn over $1 million a year, combining salary, prize money, and other income.

But it’s not guaranteed. Esports careers can be short. A few bad months, a new game update, or even an injury can end it all. That’s why smart players save money and think about the future too.

Travel and Fame

Pro players travel a lot. Big tournaments happen all over the world. Most of them are held in Seoul, Berlin, Los Angeles, or Tokyo. Teams fly to events, stay in hotels, and play in front of live crowds or massive online audiences.

This trip can be fun, but also tiring. Jet lag, different time zones, and constant practice make it hard to rest. Sometimes players barely get to enjoy the cities they visit — they’re too busy training or preparing for the next match.

As for fame, top players are treated like celebrities. They have fans asking for selfies, signing autographs, and cheering in arenas. Some even have millions of followers online.

But fame isn’t always easy. Players get messages from strangers, not all of them kind. If they make a mistake or lose a big game, some fans will blame them or leave bad comments. That kind of attention can hurt mental health, especially for young players.

Life After Esports

Most pro esports players don’t stay in the game forever. The average esports career lasts just a few years. Reaction times slow down. New players enter the scene. Games change. So what happens after the pro days are over?

Many players move on to related jobs. Some become:

• Coaches for younger teams
• Streamers or content creators
• Game testers or work with developers
• Managers or business owners in esports

Others go back to school or start new careers outside gaming. Teams and leagues now offer career support and education to help players plan for the future.

It’s Not Just a Game

The life of a pro esports player in 2025 demands more than constant gaming throughout the day. The position requires full dedication because it functions as a complete employment with multiple important duties. The weekly demands on pro players include intense training alongside health maintenance and constant pressure. To succeed in esports players need to maintain good relationships with their fans while working with sponsors and planning their lives after competitive gaming. It’s not easy. The gaming world offers an incredible career path to those who combine their passion for games with teamwork and competitive spirit. The career path allows you to connect with global fans while performing in front of enthusiastic audiences and become part of a major organization.

Esports has evolved beyond recreational entertainment to become a genuine athletic competition that produces authentic sports celebrities. Professional gamers dedicate themselves through intense training and smart preparation to achieve maximum performance. Professional gamers experience numerous obstacles but they also receive opportunities to develop themselves while earning money and motivating others. Your path to becoming a professional starts with small beginnings followed by extensive practice and maintaining equilibrium. The path to professional success requires both natural ability and strict discipline but the correct mental approach makes it achievable.