By Hernan Ruedas
As the 2025 spring season is about to begin, WPU esports teams have now finalized their rosters and are ready to compete in NACE (National Association of Collegiate Esports). The current teams competing will be Rocket League, Overwatch, and Super Smash Bros’.
Rocket League
After coming off a second round defeat last postseason, the Pacers are looking to take a step forward and compete for a championship once again. A now experienced group led by captain Hernan “Herbanian” Ruedas, in what will be his final season. He will be accompanied by Junior Braydan “K0egs” Koegel and Evan “Ulterguy” Lohri.
As the season progresses each match is key to building their playoff position. Last season the Pacers started off slow but ramped it up towards the end of the season to find a way into the postseason.
Junior Braydan “K0egs” Koegel is a key player for this season, and for the future as he keeps getting better and becoming more of a leader for this team.
“I expect some great things for both the A and B team. The A team has had its up and downs but we’ve seen lots of improvement,” said Koegel. “The B team is looking for its first win and having lots of new players becoming a more sophisticated team in the Esports org.”
Head Esports coach Coleman Arehart will be looking to unlock a new level this season as the Pacers are looking for their first championship.
“The expectations for the Rocket League team are high this semester. After a very strong finish to the last NACE season, the focused sentiment of the starting roster was ‘We will be back’,” Arehart said. “All three of these players know what the team is capable of and they know that this is the last semester with this current roster, as Hernan will graduate this Spring. With the confidence and the motivation being at an all time high, I think the team’s own mentality is the only thing that can stand between them and their goals.”
The Pacers are looking to get off to a strong start as they get ready to face Truman State University on Monday February 3rd at 7pm on Twitch.
Overwatch
The Overwatch team is looking to bounce back after a tough season last year where they only managed to win one game. Last season they showed lots of heart and battled through every game showing promise. The team is led by Captain Sam “Starman” Wagoner who is entering his second year as the captain.
“I have really high expectations for our team this semester. Our tryouts held very positive results and our practices have been the most lively I’ve ever seen,” Wagoner said. “Communication and mechanical skills have also been the best we ever had. I predict that our team is going to make it to the playoffs this year, if not, make it all the way to the finals.”
Wagoner shows lots of passion for his team and wants his team to grow every game no matter the outcome.
The Overwatch team will return to action as they take on Cleary University on Tuesday February 4th at 7pm on Twitch.
Super Smash Bros
After a brief hiatus the smash team is back competing in NACE. The team will make no changes to the roster and stick with the same players from last semester. Even though they didn’t compete in NACE, the smash team were playing in tournaments and practicing all semester. They will be well prepared as they played really good competition throughout the semester.
The Smash team is led by senior Captain Nathan “Hawx” Hawxwell
“I’m really excited moving into this season! I know the team will give it their all, and win or lose, we are going to grow and get better as a team. The latency from Nintendo’s servers will prove to be an issue, as is always the case with these online matches, but it’s a hurdle I fully believe the team will overcome and surpass,” Hawxwell said.
The Pacers will take on Keiser University on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. on Twitch.