Oklahoma districts form high school esports league

Students play a game trying out for the esports league at Sapulpa High School in Sapulpa, Okla. on April 3, 2019. Students in about 10 Oklahoma school districts can participate in competitive video gaming as an extracurricular activity with the launch of a high school esports league. The first friendly match of the Oklahoma eSports League will be held at Union Public Schools on April 20th. TULSA WORLD VIA AP STEPHEN PINGRY

(Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com)
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Students in about 10 Oklahoma school districts can participate in competitive video gaming as an extracurricular activity with the launch of a high school esports league.
The Tulsa World reports that the first friendly match of the Oklahoma eSports League will be held April 20th at Union Public Schools.
Todd Borland is the district’s director of technology. He says the league is a way to reach out to students who don’t participate in other extracurricular activities. “A lot of research shows that playing video games, for even 30 minutes, can reduce stress loads,” he said.
The league has academic eligibility requirements. Rules also state that students’ in-game actions must remain tasteful.
Students will compete in a variety of games including Overwatch, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros.
The league’s official season will run from September through May for the 2019-20 academic year. Participating school districts include Sapulpa, Broken Arrow, Cleveland, Kingston, Lawton, Putnam City, Salina, Sayre, and Wilburton.