June 4, 2024

Junior finishes second at statewide esports championships

Two Upper St. Clair High School juniors were among the top finishers at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA) State Championships. Auri Tarabishy placed second and Jack Schalk finished 11th at the event on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre.

Auri, a late addition to the individual bracket, was offered a scholarship to Wilkes University to play for their Super Smash Brothers Ultimate team. 

In team play, Upper St. Clair lost to Nazareth Area High School in the semifinals. Team members include Auri Tarabishy, Rocco Donahey, Sam Donahey, Jack Schalk and Ricky Crawford. The esports team is led by science teacher Monica Erwin.

“The team fought hard but fell to Nazareth in the semifinals,” Mrs. Erwin said. “The team's sportsmanship and support of one another was absolutely amazing!”

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May 31, 2024

Esports advances to PA semifinals

The Upper St. Clair High School Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Esports team will compete in the semifinals of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA) State Championships on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre. Team members include Auri Tarabishy, Rocco Donahey, Sam Donahey, Jack Schalk and Ricky Crawford.

The Upper St. Clair team defeated the number two seed, Cocalico, 3-0 on Tuesday, May 21 to advance to the in-person state championship event. Jack Schalk also qualified to compete in the individual finals bracket, which will be played on June 2 as well.

The esports team is led by science teacher Monica Erwin.

“Auri Tarabishy beat the number one seeded individual player 3-2 in a neck and neck match to solidify the win!” Mrs. Erwin said. “The player Auri beat had never lost more than one game in a match to any player. He had only previously lost two individual games overall and never lost a match.

The PIEA will livestream the state championships. Jack’s first individual match starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The Upper St. Clair team is scheduled to play in the semifinals at 1 p.m. against Nazareth Area High School.

All regular season esports competitions are played virtually. The varsity-level semifinals and finals for the PIEA tournament are held in-person. Last year the Upper St. Clair Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team finished in the top eight in Pennsylvania.

The PIEA is comprised of teams from more than 150 middle and high schools throughout Pennsylvania. According to its website, it is a “scholastic organization providing oversight and regulatory structure to high school esports in Pennsylvania.” Esports teams compete for state championships in Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Valorant.