How grandpa played big role for Lake Wales' esports standout and weightlifter Devin Hall

Devin Hall told his grandfather that he would win big for him near the end of the fall esports season.

It was the playoffs in December. Hall, a senior at the time at Lake Wales, was playing Rocket League — the game of choice — at his grandfather’s house. And when the Lake Wales High School esports program had just beaten the Palm Beach Lakes High School 3-1 in the best-of-five series, he turned to his grandfather and says, “We’re going to win it all.”

No. 1 seed Lake Wales grand final win over Palm Beach guaranteed an automatic bid to nationals. But Hill was aiming for so much more for his grandfather, who he learned so much from over the years.

“When we won, I went into his bedroom and I was like, ‘We’re going to win it all. We’re going back to back to back, and I’m going to win it just for you papa,’” Hall said.

Fast forward to the Electronic Gaming Federation National Championship in Orlando in June, and Lake Wales would go on to place third in the nation. Hall’s goal of placing first for the third straight year fell just a bit short.

“After we got beat, it was kind of heartbreaking that we lost, but either way I know he is super proud of me and what I’ve accomplished and everything I’ve done throughout my life,” Hall said.

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There was so much for his grandfather — and the rest of his family — to be proud of. After all, Hall replaced Lake Wales world-ranked Iann Rivas, as he graduated in 2023.

It was Hall’s first year competing with Lake Wales esports program. Hall is also a proficient weightlifter for Lake Wales. And he was doing all of this when his grandfather was sick.

In the spring, not only was Hall competing in weightlifting, but he would do his due diligence in practicing Rocket League for the spring season and for nationals in the summer.

Hall said he could have practiced more and helped his team win in the spring, but him and his family were tending to his grandfather, who was dealing with several health issues.

“I never had time to play the game because I was always visiting with my papa or taking care of him or something,” he said.

Still, Hall would go on to hit some personal bests in weightlifting districts and help his esports team win region for the seventh time, as well as finish third in the nation after the result of the nationals.

“They worked hard … but really just fell short in the semifinals,” Lake Wales head esports coach Stacey Butcher said. “Still proud of them but it is hard to lose in any sport, especially when you have so much success.”

With Hall now graduated from Lake Wales, he plans to pursue a professional career, though he did receive an esports scholarship from Warner University.