Pride Esports Find Early Success In Spring Season

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Coming off of a fall 2023 season that saw a good amount of success and championship appearances, the Clarke University Esports teams have produced some early success over the first month of the spring 2024 slate.

 

The Pride Call of Duty roster returned this Spring featuring the best of the Navy and Gold teams after some winter graduations. The single Call of Duty team now features Alec dos Santos, Ben Blackburn, Ethan Kleckler, Gavin Breed, and Dominick Gaspie. After their Varsity Plus conference championship, the Pride moved on to compete in the NACE Starleague Premier Division, looking to fight for a national championship, as well as once again compete in the College Call of Duty League.

 

The Call of Duty season started off with mixed results, as the Pride fell short in the CCL Midwest Regional Qualifier, resulting in the team being placed in the CCL Midwest Division 2, on top of several close matches the Pride unfortunately weren't able to close out. The Pride currently sit with a 0-2 record in the NACE Starleague conference and an 1-1 record in the CCL.

 

 

After once again adding to the Pride trophy cabinet with his runner-up performance last semester, Tommy Rea was joined by another newcomer in Daniil Solano. Both athletes have found success in the first two weeks of the Eastern College Athletic Conference season thus far, as Rea currently sits with a 2-0 record and Solano sits with a 1-1 record.

 

The ECAC saw a dominating performance out of the Pride Fortnite squad of Jacob Schemmel, Jeffrey Dema, and Derryl Meeks last Fall, as the Pride took home the Duos and Trios championship trophies. This season has been no different, with the Pride finishing as the 1^st place team in both weeks of the Duos and Trios season thus far.

 

Additionally this past weekend, Schemmel and Dema competed in the NACE Starleague Collegiate Series in the first Open of Split 1, as the pair directly qualified for the Split 1 Championships after another 1^st place performance throughout the day.

 

This Spring Daniel Mycroft and James Vandun would once again compete in the ECAC Madden season. After the first two weeks, Mycroft sits with a 2-0 record, as Vandun sits with a 1-1 record.

 

Mycroft also competed in the RallyCry Madden Collegiate Championships Qualifier #2 this past weekend, as he went undefeated against every opponent to claim victory in the finals. Mycroft is now qualified for the playoffs taking place later in March, where he will compete for an opportunity to play live at the NFL Draft.

 

The Pride will finally make their debut in the Heart of America this Spring. Familiar faces in Ben Blackburn and Tawan Khwanthongyim are joined by previous competitors in Michael Garritano and Justyse White, comprising the Pride Rocket League team. The Pride will compete in their first Heart matches this Thursday as they take on Missouri Valley and Park.

 

Coming off of a highlight season with two conference championships, the Pride Valorant roster of Spencer Cavaco, Khwanthongyim, Kevin Nguyen, Kyle Caruso, Phat Nguyen, and Matt Archer looked to picked up where they left off, starting their season strong as they qualified for the CVAL Winter playoffs. Unfortunately, faced with a tough opponent, the Pride fell just short of making another Top 16 finish.

 

After their Varsity Plus championship, the Pride Valorant team would also move on to compete in the NACE Starleague Premier Division, as the squad currently sits with a 2-0 record.

 

Both Valorant teams would once again compete in the National Esports Collegiate Conference this Spring. The Pride Valorant Gold team comprised of Michael Pettke, dos Santos, Emily Nelson, Vandun, and Fabian Dominguez were able to pick up their first win this season, and are currently undefeated alongside the Navy team.

 

The Pride hope to keep their momentum going as they head into the halfway point of their season.