By: Emilie Jenson 

Iowa Central Public Information 

The Iowa Central eSports team is wrapping up 2022 with a successful first half of the season.

The Tritons, in their fourth competitive season, recently competed in Kansas with several team members receiving recognition in their sports, competing in six different games including Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros, Valorant, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, and Call of Duty: Warzone.

Esports is a series of competitive video games in which participants compete in up to 16 different games against other schools and each other in three divisions. The Invitational Division includes the most competitive and skilled competition, Open Season is open to any full-time student interested in playing and Intramural eSports among Iowa Central participants.

"When we compete, we are up against some of the best players in the state and the nation," said Head eSports Coach Sam Morlan. 

There are presently around 30 students involved in the eSports program at Iowa Central and Morlan said he is always looking to grow the team, especially at the intramural level.

"We are looking to grow intramurals because you compete against each other and that can be done both on and off campus," said Morlan.

Competitive eSports is mostly done online with occasional opportunities to participate in "land tournaments" and invitationals in person.

Players are ranked in six tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Challenger. Iowa Central's eSports team has participants ranked at the bronze, gold, diamond and platinum levels.

Iowa Central eSport events are livestreamed at Twitch.TV/ICCCTritonsEsports

 Kansas Invitational Results

Overwatch 2

Players: Ethan Recker, Gavin Richman, Ethan Jackson, Blade Kabua, Jesus Magladon, Kris Warnick and Colby Russel

Awards: Best Damage, Ethan Jackson; Best Heals, Gavin Richman

Finished Round Robin Undefeated, Qualified for Quarterfinals, Overall record 8-1

Super Smash Bros

Players: Blade Kabua, Evan Jurgensen, Grant Webster

Kabua and Webster qualified for play-offs

Kabua finished 6-5, Webster finished 5-5

Valorant

Players: Zachery Santos, Nathan Fisch, Cole Conradi, Jesus Magladon, Sam Mishark

Finished season 4-3

Rocket League

Players: Evan Jurgensen,  Colby Russel, Vince Arculeo, Dylan Brooks

Finished season 6-2, qualified for play-offs

Rainbow Six Siege

Players: Sam Mishark, Zachery Santos, Noah Santos, Nathan Fisch, Hayden Hultman

Finished Season 4-4, qualified for play-offs

Call of Duty: Warzone

Players: Blake Brocker, Zachery Santos, Grant Webster, Emilian Garcia

Finished Season 5-3, Qualified for play-offs