While many high school athletes are preparing for the elements on the field, a dedicated group of students at Questa Jr./Sr. High School (QHS) are finding success through strategic minds.
Now in its fourth year, the QHS esports (electronic gaming sports) program —known competitively as the Wild Karts— has quickly become one of the most successful teams in the district.
The program was established after organizers petitioned the Questa Independent School District school board to recognize gaming as a competitive sport. By removing the physical demands of traditional sports like basketball and baseball, esports aims to make competitive athletics more inclusive, allowing students to succeed through sharp minds and fast hands.
Since its beginning, the Wild Karts have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. In just three years of competition, the team has reached the state finals in Albuquerque every single season. Their trophy case is filling up quickly, including one individual state championship, two third-place finishes, and one fourth-place finish. As a collective program, the Wild Karts have also secured second- and third-place overall state championship honors.
“Esports is the fastest-growing high school sport in the United States,” said Coach Domingo Torres, noting that the opportunities extend beyond high school. “Colleges and community colleges are also starting to compete and are now offering scholarships to players.”
The Wild Karts varsity program is open to students in grades 8th through 12th. While the team currently averages six to eight players, they are looking to expand. A larger roster would allow the school to compete in more “titles,” or specific games. Currently, the NMAA-sanctioned seasons offer competition in popular titles such as Madden NFL, NBA 2K, and Mario Kart, among others.
The road to a championship is a difficult one with the season consisting of eight weeks of regular play followed by a three-week state tournament. The competition is rigorous with only the top four teams in New Mexico qualifying for the state finals in Albuquerque—an achievement Questa has achieved three years in a row.
For the Wild Karts, esports offers a unique blend of strategy and school pride. As the program enters its fourth year, the team remains focused on maintaining its streak of state appearances and showing everyone that you don’t always need a ball or a field to bring home a championship for your school.
