Hatchets earn two victories, hold virtual talk with NTC head coach

For the Tomahawk Leader

TOMAHAWK – The Tomahawk Hatchet eSports team kicked off its first regular season with two victories last week. The squad also had the opportunity to have a virtual discussion with Northcentral Technical College (NTC)’s eSports head coach.

On Wednesday, March 3, the Smite team of Zach Suchomel, Tim Herman, Jacob Anderson, Gavin Myre and Wyatt Leasure took on Shullsburg BSMS and emerged victorious in 24 minutes and 34 seconds.

Coach Paula Norman explained that placements at the State tournament are determined by win-loss records, followed by game length, with shorter games being preferred over longer games.

“Every week the team is showing much improvement,” Norman stated.

The Rocket team of Drew Albert, Nathanael Graeber, and Jaxson Werner took on Stratford on Thursday, March 4, and also earned a win.

The Hatchets took Game One of the best-of-five series with a score of 6 to 3, and followed it up with an 8 to 3 win in Game Two.

“Jaxson was unstoppable in Game Two, as he scored six of the eight Hatchet goals,” Norman said.

Stratford responded in Game Three by coming out of the gates aggressively to win 8 to 4. However, the Hatchets redeemed themselves with a 3 to 1 win in Game Four.

Jaxson Werner led the Hatchets with 16 goals, one assist and three saves. Drew Albert had four goals, four assists and two saves. Nathanael Graeber rounded out the scoring with one goal and five assists.

“(It was) a great week with two Hatchet eSports victories!” Norman stated.

Photos submitted by Paula Norman.

The Smite team is set to take on Walden III today (Wednesday, March 10). A link to a livestream of the match can be found on the School District of Tomahawk’s website at www.tomahawk.k12.wi.us/schools/high/activities/.

The Rocket League team will play Rural Virtual Academy on Thursday, March 11.

Virtual discussion with NTC eSports head coach

The team had the opportunity to talk with Jon DeGroot, Dean of Academic Technology and eSports head coach at Northcentral Technical College (NTC) in Wausau, via Zoom on Wednesday, March 3. NTC has an eSports stadium where high school teams can practice.

The team had a virtual discussion with Jon DeGroot, Dean of Academic Technology and eSports head coach at Northcentral Technical College (NTC) in Wausau.

Norman said the virtual discussion was a great experience for the team.

“(DeGroot) talked to them about games and how to get better and keeping their grades up,” Norman stated, adding that the team got to ask questions and view NTC’s eSports stadium.