Auburn esports athlete has ‘smashing’ success at states

For Auburn High School senior Evan Payne, the recent Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation Fall championships at Syracuse University were an opportunity not only to display his skills as an esports athlete but also how far the Maroons program has come since its formation a few years ago.

Payne accomplished that feat by finishing second in the state for Super Smash Brothers Solos, a video game in which players “control a character and use attacks to weaken their opponents and knock them out of an arena.” 

Payne was thrilled with his accomplishment.

“I think it gives our school a good reputation,” he said, “which helps school spirit because others would know the (esports team’s) accomplishments. That makes me happy because I like to make a positive impact wherever I can. Getting second in the state makes me proud of how far I've come.”

Auburn esports coach Brian Bealer said Payne’s second-place finish was the result of his dedication and skill.

“Evan has been a part of the esports program at Auburn High School since we started it four years ago,” Bealer said. “He has consistently been one of the best players and has worked very hard to compete at such a high level.”  

Bealer said Payne finished in the top four in the Eastern Region last year. In the first year that Auburn is a part of a NYS-specific league (Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation), Payne finished second in the regular season.

Taking second place at the ESSEF Fall championships was special because it was held at the SU esports arena and was the first time he was able to compete against athletes and coaches from other schools around the state. The atmosphere made it more challenging for Payne.

“I think my performance at SU was great,” Payne said. “It was my first time in my entire esports journey that I played at such a competitive setting, which made me really nervous, especially when I made it to finals where I had to play in front of a crowd while being broadcast. I think this impacted my performance a little, but most of it was me not playing very well. I was very surprised I made it past the semifinals, considering the skill of my opponent.”

Payne said being a part of the Auburn Mario Kart Team that lost in the second round of the playoffs helped him when he reached the Super Smash Brothers Solo championship.  
“I think I've progressed as an esports athlete in terms of not only skill, but also teamwork and composure,” Payne said. “Our Mario Kart team did not make it to Syracuse, but it being a team sport allowed me to get better at working with others.” 

Bealer spoke very positively about Payne, not just as an esports athlete but also as a student.

“Evan has been a very hard-working student since I first met him as a freshman,” Bealer said. “He takes some of the most challenging classes at AHS (including college-level classes). He tries his best and is always looking to improve not only academically, but also for the esports games that he participates in.”  

Payne said his esports experience helps him as a student at Auburn High School and will mean more when he attends the Rochester Institute of Technology next fall.

“In Smash Brothers, I have learned to stay calm whenever I'm winning or losing, so I can either close out the game or make a comeback,” he said. “I hope I can further such skills when I hopefully participate in esports at RIT while pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering.”

Christopher Sciria / Auburn Enlarged City School District public information specialist