While many Hardrocker teams have been sidelined in 2020 due to the current COVID-19 epidemic, the Hardrocker E-Sports Overwatch team has been working hard competing in the 2020 TESPA Overwatch National Championship. The team, consisting of captain Shawn "OGScatman" Davis, team MVP Ben "Night" Sjoberg, graduate Adam "Atomic" Esche, rookie Alex "Artificial" Hanson, Makiya "LostScythe" Crochiere, and Dan "Cheetamane" Rynders, competed in the team-based multiplayer first-person shooter video-game, Overwatch, developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Matches are 6v6 battles between unique heroes, each with their own special abilities for different situations. TESPA, the sanctioning body, is the largest operator of collegiate esports leagues which includes over 270 North American chapters, had over 1350 schools compete in its competition, and has awarded over $3.3 million in scholarships.

-Regional Play-
Like many student-athletes, the team wondered if they would get to compete when TESPA decided to postpone the spring season in March in response to COVID-19. The decision was made to resume the Championships in May with play beginning in June. In qualifying group play, the team was pitted against the likes Boise State, Wichita State, and Dakota State. The Hardrockers impressed everyone finishing 5-1, winning the group, and qualified for the National Championship as a 15th seed, within the top half of the 64-team tournament.

-The National Championship-
In the first round, the Hardrockers versed the University of San Diego in a best of five series which they claimed 3-1 and advanced to face the #18 seed the University of Southern California. The match was dominated by strong team play and the Hardrockers swept USC to advance to the Round of 16 with the hopes of qualifying for the Elite 8. They would face off against the #2 University of Utah, the 2019 National Championship Runner-Up. The Hardrockers faced fierce competition and were ultimately eliminated 3-0 by the Utes.

Esports Coordinator Mike Vander Heyden summed up the team's performance saying,"I am extremely proud of the team and the tournament run they were able to put together against some of the best collegiate competition in the country. Advancing to the round of 16, and eliminating UCSD and USC, two of the more established and resourced Esports programs is a huge accomplishment for our young program. The future is bright for the Hardrocker Esports program."

Vander Heyden's tone of excitement became bittersweet when speaking about graduating senior Adam "Atomic" Esche, who's talent will be missed moving forward, saying, "we had to say good-bye to our veteran leader and senior Adam. I wish Adam the best of luck in his future endeavors and thank him for all his efforts and dedication to the team."

Adam "Atomic" Esche spoke about the team's success saying, "We are really proud with how far we made it in this past series. Making it all the way to the sweet sixteen and finally meeting our end to the number two seed [Utah Utes] was an exciting ride. As with any sport, this tournament success was the culmination of hours of practice and hard work from everyone involved. I was overjoyed with how we came together as a team and gave it our all in this competition, especially given that it was my final ride. This tournament was bittersweet as it was my last opportunity to play with the [team] that I've grown with these past 4 years. It's been a privilege to play for and to represent the school. I hope that many decide to join the [team] to fill my absence. Though I can no longer play for the team, I look forward to helping out in any way possible."

The Overwatch team will try and replace seniors like Adam and continue to build on its success in their next tournament with the start of the 2020 fall semester with a few new members excited to join the team.

You can follow the Hardrocker Esports teams at www.gorockers.com, and broadcasting live at  https://www.twitch.tv/sdsmt_esports.