GUNNISON, Colo.  Spring semester of 2023 was a breakthrough campaign for the Mountaineer Esports program as six of its ten teams qualified for the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) playoffs. Two of the qualifying teams made it to the finals (Valorant, and Rocket League Crimson) and the Rocket League Crimson won their division in a 4-2 victory over Morningside University. 
 
Rocket League Crimson – On Friday, Rocket League Crimson won the NECC conference finals over Morningside University (Morningside JV), as they are the second team in program history to win their conference. They ended their regular season as the No. 1 seed led by senior captain Shawn Glade. The Rocket League Crimson team earned their spot to compete in NECC Nationals in the Navigators Division. (Rocket League Crimson championship team as shown in photo: Benjamin Ford, Shawn Glade, Ross Mcnally, Braedon Gould). Spring 2023 record: 11-1.
 
Valorant - In their inaugural season, the Mountaineers finished runner up in the conference finals. As a team in their first semester of competition, they have more than proved that they cam come to play. Captained by freshman Miles Witt, this team fought hard to earn the No. 1 seed going into the post season with their 8-1 regular season record. They then went on to win their next two games to make their NECC conference finals. In finals, they lost 3-0 to Northern Arizona University (NAU JV). With their performance throughout the season, this team earned a spot to compete in the NECC Nationals in the Emergent Division. Spring 2023 record: 10-2.
 
Rainbow Six – After making finals the past two semesters, WCU Rainbow Six fell early in the playoffs losing in the quarterfinals for spring 2023. This season was the last season for captain Claude Torres who is a senior after a successful two years with the program. Rainbow Six also made nationals for the Challengers Division due to their second-place finish in the Fall 2022 season. Spring 2023 record: 4-5.
 
Super Smash Bros Ultimate - Played crew battles this season with two teams competing in the NECC, led by Julian Arredondo for WCU Crimson with a Spring 2023 record of 2-6 and Connor Hamilton for WCU Slate with a Spring 2023 record of 2-6. The team is consisting almost entirely of freshman and sophomores who will continue to grow. The team has one graduating senior Dons Lopez. 
 
League of Legends - Ended their season in eighth making playoffs. However, fell early to the powerhouse of Bethany University. In the Spring 2023 season, they were led by Freshman Wayne Jackson. This season was a rough one for the Mountaineer League of Legends team, but fought through and made the best of their semester. The team has one graduating senior Cory Ragsdale. Spring 2023 record: 1-7.
 
Overwatch Black – After coming off of a second-place finish in Fall 2022, the NECC moved the Overwatch Black up a division thinking they needed a bit more of a challenge. Unfortunately, this led to Black going 0-9 to finish last in their new division. This team was captained by senior Jarrett Rongstad. Spring 2023 Record: 0-9.
 
Overwatch Crimson – The Mountaineers of Overwatch Crimson ended their season in ninth place, moving up one seed from last season. This team has three graduating seniors: Josh Kendall, Nikki Rees and Rees Clay. This team was captained by sophomore Haden Green. Spring 2023 record: 2-7.
 
Overwatch Slate – Western Colorado's Overwatch Slate team ended their season in fifth place after coming down a division from last season. This team had a lot of new faces all who played exceptionally with some of the veteran, leading the charge was captain John Moore who has led the team to two second place victories in his time at Western. Spring 2023 record: 4-4.
 
Rocket League Slate – In the Navigators Division, Western Colorado Rocket League Slate wrapped up their season with an eighth place finish. This team was led by captain Joseph Vennard, with all returning players for next season. Spring 2023 record: 2-7.
 
Nationals will take place over the next two months as the Mountaineers continue to make their name known on the national level.