SEATTLE - 4 years ago Xavier Patajo walked into O'Dea with a childhood hobby, but now he leads one of the biggest and fastest growing clubs and he shows no signs of stopping.
Senior Patajo has been a staple member of the E-sports team for many years, rising to the position of captain during his sophomore, but his love for video games started long ago.
“I started playing video games when I was about 3 years old,” he states.
Patajo started playing before many kids his age could even hold a controller. The earliest games he loved were top down scrollers like Space Invaders on old consoles laying around his house.
However, as he has grown, he has continued to expand his incredible skill into more and more games. In the last couple of years playing for O’Dea he has gotten into popular titles like Overwatch, Super Smash Bros, and Apex Legends.
Along with is induvial accomplishments and skills, he is always trying to bring more games into the club for its growing members. dominating through the screen has no longer become his favorite part.
He says he “learns a lot from all the new members of the teams.”
Because of all the new members and the club is starting to come together in amazing ways.
“It’s exciting and fun to watch the team grow as a player and a coach.”
Being a senior and one of the clubs longest lasting members Patajo has taken to the mentor role with earnest. He also knows his time left on the team is coming to a close.
His goals for the club have shifted since only a couple of years ago when they won the 2022 Super Smash Bros state tournament. Patajo now wishes to bring as many people into the club and make it something more than just another school club.
He has only good things to say about the new underclassmen.
“The team is looking better than ever.”
The club has yet to compete in any competition this year but are eager to show the rest of the school what they can do and encourage others to give it a try.
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