November 21, 2023
MADISON, S.D. – The Dakota State University Trojan Esports earn two championship titles at Fall Collegiate Champions League Finals.
DSU's Esports recently hosted the 2023 Fall CCL Lan Finals on November 18 & 19 at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. The two-day event featured the top four placing teams in each game title in a person tournament style. All three Trojan titles qualified for the finals in the semi-final match-ups in week seven of game play.
The Trojan Valorant entered the CCL finals ranked number 1 in the league. This was Valorant's seventh consecutive appearance at CCL Finals since their debut in the league in fall of 2021. The varsity lineup includes freshmen Aydan Johnson and sophomore Calvin Stumpf. juniors Aleksandr Billey and Carson Boyle, and senior Trevor Schlechter.
The Trojans played against South Dakota State University in the semifinal match, winning 2-0. Team Valorant then advanced into the championship game against North Dakota State University. The team continued to show prestige, winning the championship game in a 2-0 shutout.
This is the first time in Trojan history that Valorant has secured a championship trophy while maintaining a perfect season record of 8-0.
DSU's League of Legends made their fifth appearance at the Fall CCL Lan Final since their debut in CCL in the fall of 2021. The Trojans entered the finals ranked third in the league after completing a fall regular season with a 5-2 record. The varsity lineup includes freshmen Micah McRunnel, sophomore Christian Lor, and seniors Cobain Goehring, Brock Zirpel, and Kenneth Walker.
League of Legends won their quarterfinal match against the University of Nebraska Lincoln 2-0, advancing to the championship match against North Dakota State.The Trojans lost the first match in the best of five series but managed to make a comeback in the second round. DSU continued to fight for the win but lost in the third match, leaving the Bison with a 2-1 lead.
However, the Trojans rallied winning the next two rounds, capturing the championship title by winning the series 3-2.
This was the second championship title for the Trojan League of Legends team in CCL history. LoL finished the fall season with an overall record of 7-2.
Trojan Rocket League made their second appearance at CCL Finals since their debut in fall of 2022. The varsity lineup includes two sophomores Collin Bradberry and Alex Cuka, junior Cody Farland, and senior Zach Olsen. DSU Rocket League qualified for CCL Finals by winning in the quarterfinals against Minnesota State University Mankato 4-3. The Trojans then moved into the semifinals playing against Wayne State University (Neb.) but fell by the score of 4-0.
DSU took home a fourth-place finish which is the highest placement Rocket League has ever achieved at finals. The Trojans finished their fall season with an overall record of 4-5.
Trojan CCL titles will continue game play in the spring, with all three teams planning to return with varsity rosters.
