2021-22 Clarke Esports mid-season report

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Clarke University Esports teams have been competing throughout the fall under the new leadership of their Director of Esports Henry Johnston and nearing the beginning of November, we take a look at how the early part of their season has progressed.

All individuals competing on the FIFA, NBA2K, Fortnite, Madden, and Call of Duty teams are all participating in their first ever experiences in competitive Esports and have lived up to the expectations of Johnston in the early going.

In FIFA, the Gold team of Maurice Harrison and Navy team of Dominic Pedroza are tied for 30th out of 41 teams in the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference)

In NBA 2K, the Navy team of Anthony Hughes is undefeated and tied for 1st, the Gold team of DeQuincy Young is tied for 4th, and the Grey team of Keshawn Murphy is tied for 12th out of 34 teams in the ECAC. Each team is on track to qualify for playoffs, needing only about 2 more wins each to solidify their playoff berth.

For Fortnite, the Duos team of Jacob Schemmel and Derryl Meeks in the ECAC has been steadily improving each week, and are currently placed 39th out of 58 teams. In the same vein, the PlayVS solos teams of Jacob Schemmel, Derryl Meeks, and Devan Quesada have also been consistent in their progress, and have placed similar each week, and are steadily improving across the hundreds of collegiate competitors.

Secondly, the Trios team of Devan Quesada, Jared Jackson, and Jesus Ortega performed very well in the first PlayVS Trios Event. Through two different qualifier events, the teams placed in the top 15% of all trios, qualifying them for the semi-finals, where they played well but were unable to make it to the finals. They will have another chance at the $20k prize pool with the second qualifier event starting this Thursday.

For Madden, in the ECAC the Gold team of Kenny Murray is tied for 5th and the Navy team of Dejon Harris is tied for 30th out of 43 teams. The Gold team is in a great spot to qualify for the playoffs, needing around 2 wins to secure their berth. In PlayVS, both of the Madden teams have been doing extremely well, both only losing one match so far. The Navy team of Ron Jones is tied for 10th, while the Gold team of Dejon Harris is tied for 14th out of 52 teams. Placing in the top half of all competitors qualifies them for the playoffs, so both teams have almost locked playoffs. Finishing Top 8 overall in the playoffs puts the teams in position to win money, so both teams have a chance to win part of the $2.5k prize pool

For Call of Duty, both teams had a rough start to the season, but have bounced back. Two weeks ago, the Gold team of Josiah Nichols, Peter Torres, Devon Wall, Diego Arenas, Dejon Harris, and Khalan Coleman reverse swept Florida Atlantic, and the Navy team of Ried Raisbeck, Samuel Swenor, Jaydon Dennis, and Anthony Hughes has won two games straight. Both teams are looking to close the remainder of the season out strong.

The teams will continue to compete throughout the month of November before seasons kick back up in the winter time in 2022.