fbpx
Menu icon

Lake Area Technical College Esports Team Gears Up for Exciting Season Opener

Posted on: September 26, 2024   |   Categories: eSports, News
Esports team

September 26, 2025

Lake Area Technical College Esports is set to launch its competitive season with a highly anticipated opener on October 4th at 7:00 p.m. against the Palominos from Laredo College in Laredo, Texas. The team will showcase its skills in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, competing against two-year colleges across the nation during the season.

Esports, otherwise known as competitive gaming, has experienced rapid growth in recent years, offering student athletes a dynamic platform to develop their gaming skills and build teamwork and community, while competing at a national level. Lake Area Tech welcomes six first-year players to its team this season, adding fresh talent to its roster.

The new recruits include:

  • Braydon Alford (Welding Technology) student from Sioux Falls, SD
  • Kaian Enockson (Computer Information Systems) student from Bismarck, ND
  • McKinley Kosters (Aviation) student from Fredrick, SD
  • Garrison Steele (Precision Agriculture) student from Aiden, MN
  • Brandon Stephens (Computer Information Systems) student from Windom, MN
  • Tucker Urdahl (Welding) student from Watertown, SD

Returning for their second year are:

  • Rudy Gallegos (Robotics Technology) student from Astoria, SD
  • Michael Ready (Automotive Technology) student from Huron, SD

Lake Area Tech will offer a number of scholarships for esports athletes, which will provide talented students the opportunity to pursue their passion for gaming while earning a degree. The program is open to all students interested in trying out for the team or being part of the esports campus experience each fall and spring, regardless of scholarship status.

Lake Area Tech Head Esports Coach Bryce LeBlanc emphasized the broader value of esports. “Esports are a pivotal new way to develop important life skills in our student athletes, build strong relationships, spark interest, and keep students engaged at Lake Area Tech,” he stated.

Lake Area Tech competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) league, joining more than 200 member institutions and more than 3,000 students across the country. The NJCAAE offers three levels of competition:

Tier 1 – Premier Series (PS): The highest level, where teams compete for NJCAAE National Championship titles.

Tier 2 – Contender Series (CS): The mid-level competition for Contender Series Champions.

Tier 3 – Open Series (OS): Open to all participants, fostering community engagement and campus involvement.

All competitions will be live-streamed on Twitch, allowing fans to watch and support the Lake Area Tech Esports Team from any location. Head Coach Bryce LeBlanc is joined by Assistant Coach Levi Olson. Together, they combine their gaming expertise to help guide the students to success.

For more information about Lake Area Tech Esports, contact Bryce LeBlanc at Bryce.LeBlanc@lakeareatech.edu.

###

About Lake Area Technical College: Lake Area Technical College, established in 1965, is the first technical school in South Dakota and offers 31 cutting-edge programs with more than 2,600 enrolled students. With a track record of more than 25,000 graduates, 99% of whom are employed or continuing their education, Lake Area Tech remains committed to student success while helping students land careers they love in high-demand fields. 82% of LATC graduates stay to live and work in South Dakota, according to the latest placement report.