Penn Manor High School has a sports dynasty that doesn't compete on a field or a court.

Three of the Comets' esports squads captured a championship plaque at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA) Spring Finals on April 12 and 13.

Penn Manor Rocket League defeated Lebanon, 3-1, at Alvernia University. The Overwatch team topped Reach Cyber School, 3-0, at Alvernia, and the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate squad downed Dallastown, 3-0, at Neumann University.

It was the first time Penn Manor earned titles in three events at the same tournament, said Penn Manor English teacher Scott Hertzog, who oversees the school's esports program.

The Rocket League team is made up of Chad Barton, Landon Shank, and Jadxiel Rodriguez Marquez. Jadxiel said it was gratifying to know Penn Manor finished first. "We had good chemistry, and overall, it was good teamwork," he said.

Rocket League is a "high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem," according to its website.

"It's really crucial to have good teamwork and good communication when you're playing that type of game," Jadxiel said. "Like in real soccer, you need good communication and teamwork to be able to win."

Zoe Joniec, Dominic Malpica, Nathan Dejewski, Riley Sanders, Jason "J.J." Rhinier, Seth Barrett, and Wyatt DeFord compose the Comets' Overwatch squad.

It was the third straight title for Seth, Wyatt, and J.J., who have been friends since kindergarten. "It's a great feeling," Seth said, adding that this year's title feels nostalgic.

Overwatch is a "team-based action game set in the optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate (5 vs. 5) battlefield brawl," its website says.

"It's heavily team-based," Seth said. "You've got to work with everyone. It's not just about how everyone can play. You're really dependent on strategy, making things work, researching the other teams. ... It's similar to a regular sport in a lot of ways. But it's a lot different atmosphere, and it's a lot of fun."

He started playing video games after getting an Xbox in fifth grade. "I was always kind of good at them," Seth said. "I like the specific type of strategy with this game, especially. I'm not huge into a lot of other games. I like sports, as well. For me, the team play aspect and the immense importance of strategy and how it's always changing (is what I enjoy). It's refreshing. I like trying to solve problems and win every game I can. I'm a very competitive person by nature."

Thomas Trussel, Riley Spurgeon, Angel Hernandez, Max Molodin, William Lefever, Gabriel Perkins, and Hunter Vasold are on the Smash Bros. squad, where players' characters fight opponents on platforms.

Gabriel said the team practices three times a week during school and occasionally online while at home. He enjoys every aspect of being a member of the group.

"I like all of it," he said. "Practicing with my teammates, who have grown to become my friends. I like the competitive nature of it. It's high stakes. You're fighting for everything, and you've practiced so much for it. It's really fun."

Hertzog co-founded the Penn Manor esports program with Nick Joniec six years ago and succeeded Joniec as head coach in 2021.

"It's been a fantastic, fantastic experience," Hertzog said. "We went from being in a small computer lab to kind of having our own esports area."

While Hertzog is in charge of the program, each team has its own coach. Tyler Lloyd is the head of the Overwatch team, Clay Craig runs the Rocket League squad, and Micah Emig is the boss of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team.

Penn Manor is building quite a tradition. The Comets' Overwatch team has won four PIEA titles, and the Rocket League team was third at the grand finals two years ago. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was introduced last year.

"We have students who are mentoring students," said Hertzog. "The older students come in and in a sense shepherd the younger students and teach them how to play as a team. Even though it's on computers, esports function just like other sports. You need to communicate and work together. It's not an individual thing."

The Comets will compete in the playoffs in a bid to earn berths in the Grand Finals, which will be held at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1.