CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Laramie County Community College Esports has written another chapter in its legacy, claiming two national championships during the fall National Junior College Athletic Association Esports, or NJCAAE, season. The Golden Eagles excelled in Rainbow Six: Siege and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, demonstrating skill and teamwork on the virtual stage.
What is Esports?
Esports, short for electronic sports, is competitive video gaming where players and teams face off in tournaments featuring popular titles like Overwatch, Mario Kart and Rainbow Six: Siege. Success in esports demands strategic thinking, quick reflexes and extensive preparation, much like traditional sports.
The NJCAAE organizes tournaments nationwide, with seasons held in both the fall and spring. Similar to traditional athletes, esports players must meet academic and attendance requirements to remain eligible. At LCCC, the program also provides scholarships and valuable opportunities for students to build résumés, develop skills and network for future careers.
Fall Season Success
The Golden Eagles’ Rainbow Six: Siege team secured its third consecutive national title, defeating Guilford Technical Community College in a four-hour battle, 3–1. The team — consisting of Tyler Soffe, Kiara Kershaw, Justin Cherubin, Leondro Ebell and Cody Lewis — has dominated its opponents over multiple seasons.
Last spring, they captured their second championship in a flawless 3–0 sweep against Marshalltown Community College, highlighted by unmatched defensive play and well-coordinated strategies.
“Pride doesn’t even express it,” said head coach John Kershaw. “They are the experts at their craft, and my role is to keep their heads in the game.”
Team captain Kiara Kershaw, a nursing major, called the three-peat “kinda surreal.” She added, “Not many people can say they’ve won three national championships.”
Meanwhile, freshman Jesse Wardle delivered a standout performance to win LCCC’s first-ever Mario Kart 8 Deluxe solo championship. Recruited from Colorado, where he earned two high school state titles, Wardle has embraced the discipline esports requires. He plans to focus on downloadable content maps in the offseason to sharpen his skills for next year’s competition.
Beyond the Games
Esports at LCCC offers more than trophies. For kinesiology major Tyler Soffe, the program instills dedication and opens doors to valuable networking opportunities. For Kiara Kershaw, the team dynamic has helped her develop interpersonal skills crucial to her future nursing career.
“Each season, we see the competition improve,” Kershaw noted, emphasizing the growth of collegiate esports and the rising skill levels of rival teams.
As the fall season ends, LCCC is already preparing for spring tournaments. The Rainbow Six team plans to maintain its skills while identifying opportunities to improve, and Wardle is refining his strategies to stay ahead.
“We’re always looking to improve,” Kershaw said, “but we don’t see any big changes for next season.”
With three consecutive titles in Rainbow Six: Siege and a new national champion in Mario Kart, LCCC Esports has solidified its place as a leader in collegiate gaming. Fans can look forward to more exciting performances when the spring season kicks off.
For more information on LCCC Esports, visit www.golccc.com.