Grizzly eSports completes successful first season

Missouri State University-West Plains' Grizzly eSports program completed a very successful first year of competition, sending eight teams to the playoffs and three to the NJCAAE national championships.

In the final week of the spring season, the Grizzlies' Call of Duty: Warzone roster of Brock DeWeese, West Plains, and Spencer Spreutels, Koshkonong, faced Mineral Area College, Park Hills, in the Invitational National Championships. In a tense series of gaming, the Grizzlies fell to the Cardinals 2-3.

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 4v4, the Grizzlies faced the Gogebic Community College Samsons from Michigan in the Open National Championships. In a series of games separated by only a few points, the Grizzlies fell 1-3.

In the quarterfinals of Overwatch 2, the Grizzlies lost to Barton Community College, Great Bend, Kansas, 1-3.

"I am incredibly proud of all our players," Grizzly eSports Head Coach Alex Pinnon said. "Not only are we becoming nationally recognized by other two-year and four-year programs, but our players have demonstrated tremendous growth, companionship and sportsmanship. They come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, and they have used their differences to build, create and compete at a national level. I was blessed to have these players in the first year of our program."

Auditions begin June 3

Current or incoming students who would like to audition for the nationally recognized Grizzly eSports program can audition for roster spots for the 2023-2024 season June 3. For more information, email GrizzlyEsports@MissouriState.edu or call 417-255-7965.

For more information about the Grizzly eSports program, follow the team's Facebook page, Facebook.com/MSUWPeSports, or visit the team's website, MSUWPGrizzlies.com.