LATC Esports Teams Show Resilience and Growth in Thrilling Week of Competition
October 14, 2024
Lake Area Technical College Esports teams are off to an exciting start this season, with first-year OTA student Gabe Gebhard taking center stage in his latest matchups. Gabe faced off against two tough opponents in a double-header showdown this past Tuesday, October 8th. First, he took on the UMPQUA Roadrunners from Roseburg, Oregon, securing an impressive 3-0 victory. His second match was a tougher challenge, going head-to-head with the conference leader, Centralia College from Centralia, Washington. Despite falling 0-3, Gabe’s performance showed significant growth from his season-opening losses against Salt Lake Community College.
Coach Bryce LeBlanc praised Gabe’s resilience and preparation, noting how Gabe’s extra practice during the week paid off in his gameplay. “You could tell Gabe put in a lot of practice time to raise his game, and it paid off,” LeBlanc commented. Although the score didn’t reflect the competitiveness of the second game, Coach LeBlanc and Gabe both felt that this week was a major step forward. Gabe shared that he felt much more comfortable going into the matches, knowing what to expect. “I played better overall and focused on my strengths,” said Gabe.
Gabe will continue his Super Smash Brothers competition on Tuesday, October 15th, facing Southeast Community College from Lincoln, Nebraska, at 7:00 pm and Eastern Arizona from Thatcher, Arizona at 8:00 pm. The momentum he’s built up has him poised for strong performances.
Meanwhile, the LATC Rainbow Six Siege team had a rollercoaster of a week. Fresh off a thrilling victory in their opening week’s match, they took on State Tech from Linn, Missouri. Unfortunately, a series of technical delays pushed the match start time back, disrupting the team’s rhythm. “Esports athletes are just like traditional athletes,” Coach LeBlanc explained. “When a team’s routine is thrown off, it can affect their gameplay.”
Despite the setbacks, LATC fought back valiantly. After dropping the first map, Chalet, the team rallied to take the second map, ClubHouse, forcing a decisive third map, SkyScraper. First-year welding student Braydon Alford led the charge, posting a team-high in kills across all three maps. Braydon reflected on the close match, saying, “We were strong in the first couple maps, and it felt like we were within reach of a win.”
However, State Tech surged in the final rounds, ultimately claiming the 2-1 victory. LATC’s team captain, Garrison Steele, a first-year precision agriculture student, highlighted the improvements in team communication, crediting Coach LeBlanc for focusing on strategic callouts during practice. “We worked on minimizing unnecessary communication and being specific with our callouts,” Garrison said, adding that the team continues to gel with each match.
Though the loss was tough, Coach LeBlanc was optimistic about the team’s progress. “We’re a young team, but we’ve got big goals, and we’re improving every week,” he said. With a much-needed bye week ahead and a forfeit from Murray State on October 25th, the Siege team has a chance to recharge and sharpen their skills for their next matchup against Walters State Community College from Tennessee.
This season has already shown the grit and potential of Lake Area Tech’s Esports teams, and the road ahead promises more thrilling competition. From Gabe’s promising Super Smash Brothers run to the Rainbow Six Siege team’s strategic growth, LATC’s Esports program is making waves.
