Sandpoint High School’s Esports Club ended its spring season with Elliott Lowman qualifying for the season's playoffs.

Lowman qualified in chess, making him one of the top 32 players in a field of over 500 participants from across the United States.

Elliott lost in the first round of the playoffs to the username Tyomovich who attends High Tech Los Angeles Charter in Los Angeles.

Tyomovich advanced through the tournament and will be competing for first place on April 28th.

“Elliott did well against Tyomovich, even winning a game,” Sandpoint Esports advisor Dalton Hawkins said. “I am super proud of what he was able to accomplish over the course of the season and I hope that he continues this into next year.”

Players from both Minecraft and Hearthstone made the top 25 percent of their respective categories; however, did not qualify for the playoffs.

The Esports Club would like to give a huge thank you to Ting internet for helping them pay for their year of competition.

“We really would have struggled to get the number of players we had if not for them,” Hawkins said. “While we still did fundraisers, it was a huge stress off my shoulders and the shoulders of the players knowing that regardless of how well the fundraiser went, they would still be able to compete.”

The average cost per player to compete is $40 per season, which players either fundraise for or pay for on their own.

Hawkins also added that support from the staff and administration at Sandpoint High School and the District helped make the year special for students.

“Some staff members would come in and wish the players good luck before their matches,” Hawkins said. “Or would be encouraging those joining the workouts, oftentimes after a quick question to me (Hawkins) about esports players lifting weights and doing laps on the track.”

Now that the season is over, the Esports Club is focused on recruitment for new members.

“The last two years have been hard to recruit because we didn’t have Springboard to High School,” Hawkins said. “But this year it’s back on April 27th. The club will have a presence there to let next year’s freshmen and their parents know we exist and what we actually do.” Parents and students who are unable to attend Springboard to High School that are interested can contact Hawkins at dalton.hawkins@lposd.org or at (208)263-3034 ext 4169.