Pratt, Kan. - Over the past week, the Pratt Community College Esports team, specifically both Overwatch 2 teams, have been competing in the NJCAAE open division tournament that started on Tuesday, December 3. Both teams were seeded 28 and 29 out of 39 teams. Seeds are determined by your performance throughout the season but also randomized due to ties and other factors.  

The Beavers Overwatch 2 team one consists of Xander Lake, Kody Canfield, Dmitrey Peebler, Deven Anderson and Joshua Packard. The team opened their tournament against the SW Wisconsin TC and picked up a 3-0 win. The team then defeated the fourth seeded Monroe Community College 3-0. In the third round, Pratt defeated the College of DuPage 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight semester. The Beavers faced off against Collin College with a trip to the semi-finals on the line and unfortunately could not get the job down being defeated 3-1.  

"It says a lot about the hardwork and dedication of this team to make it to the quarterfinals (top eight) two semesters in a row. If a few things fall in our favor and a little cleaner communication we would be preparing for the semi-finals, instead we are preparing for the spring season," said head Esports coach Charles Keefer. "This team has gotten close to the top of the mountain now twice. The guys are hungry to keep working hard and to reach the top of the mountain in the spring semester."  

For team two they opened with a 3-0 sweep of St. Louis Community College before defeating Florida State College- Jacksonville 3-1 in the second round. In the third round Pratt faced the same Collin College team that knocked out team one. They fought hard but unfortunately lost 3-0. The Beavers Overwatch 2 team two consists of Jeremiah Goebel, Noah Mehlhorn, Jack Shaffer, Taj Thomas and Carlos Garica-Pedroza.  

"For team two to win two playoff matches says a lot about how much they have improved. At least two members of the squad had never played Overwatch 2 on a PC before August," said coach Keefer. "The team has played with a positive attitude and had fun all semester while winning matches and have played as a cohesive unit throughout the fall season." 

The Beaver Esports program finishes their fall season with a 25-20 record and will now take a break over the holiday season and return ready to get their spring season underway in February.