Gadsden, Rio Grande Prep lead local esports growth

Gadsden High School returned to state esports competition this season, competing in titles like Rocket League, Madden and Splatoon, while Rio Grande Preparatory Institute put together its deepest playoff run to date in Mario Kart. The state championships were held April 23–25 at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex in Albuquerque. 

At Gadsden, that level of competition was expected. Head coach Patrick Baca said the program had developed into a consistent contender, built around a group of students who brought different backgrounds into the same competitive space. 

“I have football players, and I have soccer players, and they’re all competing,” Baca said. “We found a group of kids that just meshtogether. One of the biggest challenges we still face is how people view esports — when you actually talk to these kids, they’rediscussing strategy and teamwork. It’s what you see in traditional sports.” 

That mix translated into results. At the state championships, Gadsden finished first in Rocket League, second in Madden, and placed fourth in both Splatoon 3 and Marvel Rivals. 

“I’ve gotten third and second,” Gabriel Calamaco said. “This is my last year, so I really want that first.” 

Rio Grande Prep saw that same competitiveness take hold, even as the program continued to grow. The team advanced to the second round of the playoffs, marking the furthest the program had gone and setting a new standard. Coach Alice Manning said the progress showed up in how the group played together throughout the season. 

“This is probably my favorite team to watch because they work so well together,” Manning said. “It’s like they have each other’s back. With freshmen, sophomores and upperclassmen competing together, you could really see them grow closer as the season went on — seeing them come together for a common cause was really wonderful.” 

For players, that growth showed how they approached competition and the way they handled pressure during matches. 

“It taught me more, especially coming up with strategies and thinking on my feet,” Aaron Morales said, while others pointed to the difficulty that often goes unnoticed. 

“People think it’s easy,” Noah Brady said. “Then they try it and realize it’s not for them.” 

Manning said that perception still lingers around high school esports, even as programs continue to grow and demand the same level of focus, accountability and teamwork as traditional sports. 

As the season ended, both programs carried momentum into what comes next, with Gadsden remaining among the state’s top teams and Rio Grande Prep taking a clear step forward, even without a trip to state. For the students, the focus remains the same moving forward. 

“Try to do better,” Morales said. “Communicate more with my team.”