The E in Esports Stands For EVERYONE

For the first time in the history of the NMAA State Esports Championships, schools played a Unified Esports match.  Del Norte took on La Cueva in Rocket League on Friday afternoon at the APS Berna Facio Professional Development Center.  “Our whole mission is to try and be as inclusive as possible, with no cuts for our program,” said La Cueva Esports coach Nick Romero.  “It’s really good social and emotional learning for them.”

“My policy at Del Norte is ‘Everyone is welcome’,” said Del Norte Esports coach Marta Anderson.  “We really try hard to get everyone there, including all the new adaptive equipment the Special Olympics just gave us.”  Anderson said they now have ‘smash pads’ for kids with cerebral palsy, so they can participate in spite of any physical limitation.  “I also have a young man that’s in a wheelchair and I’m excited for him to get use a new joystick with his chin…so he can play Smash Bros. with his buddies.”

Anderson believes having Unified programs helps bring the community together.  “We enjoy having everyone participate,” she added.  “I have several special athletes on my varsity teams in my program.  If you can fill a seat and you can win, then you get to continue with the varsity program. About 30 percent of my team has some specials on their varsity titles.”

Del Norte beat La Cueva to win the Unified Rocket League match. Sandia High School will play a combined group from Del Norte/La Cueva High School in a Unified match of Mario Kart on Saturday.