TORRINGTON, Wyo. – In just 10 months since its establishment, the Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Esports team has secured the first seed spot in the 2024 National Fortnite Championships.

The first round of nationals will take place online on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m.. EWC's qualification for nationals was determined on Dec. 2, when the team went 3-0 in a series of matches broadcast live on Twitch by Esports Coach Caleb Spitzer.

Out of 32 competing teams, only eight remain, with Lancers Ryder Tillard and Allen Woodard leading the way as the top seed. They will face Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in their opening match.

"Our performance Sunday night will determine if we advance in the bracket," said Coach Spitzer.

Strategic Preparation for Nationals

Heading into the championship, Spitzer and his team are focusing on key areas of gameplay, including strategies for countering in-game vehicles and assessing the skill level of their competition. While the team acknowledges LCCC as fair competition, Spitzer remains confident in their preparation.

Part of the team's strategy includes analyzing map locations for optimal positioning. Additionally, they dedicate time to playing other games, refining their reaction time and adaptability in high-pressure situations.

A significant advantage for the Lancers comes from team member Ryder Tillard, who holds the Unreal rank—a status achieved by only 0.2% of Fortnite's 3.8 million players.

"We have an advantage [other players might not have]," Spitzer said.

Looking Ahead to Spring Season

The spring Esports season begins on Feb. 14, and Spitzer is excited about expanding the team's roster when students return after the holiday break. In addition to the Fortnite duo, new team members will compete in Madden and Mario Kart.

The second round of matches is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

For more information, please contact:

Coach Caleb Spitzer – Esports Head Coach, cspitzer@ewc.wy.edu
Brad Staman – College Relations Director, bstaman@ewc.wy.edu