Valorant team finishes third in strong fall run

In its second year of competition, the Augustana Esports Valorant team took third place at the Collegiate Champions League finals on Nov. 16 at Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison, South Dakota. 

The fall Local Area Network (LAN) event brought together the top four Valorant teams from a seven-team regional field, including programs from DSU, the University of Nebraska Omaha, Lake Area Technical College and Augustana University.

The Collegiate Champions League (CCL), held each semester, is DSU’s flagship esports event. The Augustana Valorant team qualified after finishing among the region’s top four teams, a milestone for a roster that features three freshmen competing in their first collegiate season. 

Head coach Chris Knutson said the team showed poise throughout the tournament despite falling in the semifinal to Omaha. 

“The top four teams from each game came together and played it out to see who was the champion,” he said. “We lost to the University of Nebraska Omaha on Saturday, but we came back Sunday and beat Lake Area Tech. I think third place is a good start — and they want to go for first place next year.”

The LAN environment was unlike anything most of the roster had experienced. With a Super Smash Bros. open bracket happening in the same space, the players battled not just their opponents, but the noise, energy and constant motion around them. 

“It was a little bit chaotic,” Knutson said. “They had a Super Smash Bros. open tournament going on at the same time, so it felt like 1,000 people were in the room. It was really loud, but really cool to see our guys up on stage playing.” 

Junior Ari Danon said the noise and crowd energy were overwhelming at first. 

“It just felt small being in there — everything was going on at once, and it was a lot to take in. Honestly, overstimulating,” he said. “But Sunday felt a lot nicer. We knew the drill, and we were a lot more comfortable.” 

Comfort mattered. On Saturday, several players faced setup issues with keyboards, mice and audio gear — problems that can throw off timing and rhythm in a precision-based game like Valorant. But by Sunday, the roster had adjusted, and the match against Lake Area Tech reflected their growth.

Danon said the moment that sealed their third-place finish came in the final round. 

“They rushed B, and we just played the round perfectly. I got a nice little 2K and then got shot in the back,” he said. “But the best part was Andy getting the defuse. Sean was screaming at him to stick it, and he held it all the way. They had one guy trying to reach him before he finished it, and [Sean] got it at the last second. It just felt so good.”

The active fall roster — Danon, freshmen Sean Sandefur, Andy Munkbaatar, X-Avier Jimma and sophomore Anand Altangerel — found its rhythm over the course of the semester after beginning with little familiarity. 

“We started out with no synergy. We all had individual skills, but we had to learn to play well with each other,” Danon said. “The more we practiced, the better it got. Our growth this semester was exponential.”

Knutson said Sandefur has already emerged as the team’s in-game leader. 

“He’s calling the plays, directing people where to go, keeping morale up. For a first-year student, that’s impressive,” Knutson said. 

“[It] was certainly not something I was interested in before joining the team, but I was selected due to my previous experience playing with other tier-3 teams in Asia,” Sandefur said. “It has certainly been challenging leading a brand-new team as a freshman adapting to Augustana, but I rose up to the task and am proud of how far we were able to make it at DSU.”

This semester’s success also reflects the rapid expansion of Augustana’s esports program, which opened its dedicated campus lab in February. 

“We have around 35 students with access now,” Knutson said. “It’s full every day. Their growth, especially the Rocket League and Valorant teams, has been huge.”

The Valorant squad is coached by Bea “Kraif” Cross, a former professional player for Global Esports Phoenix who traveled in for the event. The presence of a coach with professional experience — paired with a strong, young roster — helped propel the team through the fall split. Some of Augustana’s varsity players from all titles even traveled to DSU to support the Valorant team in person.

Next semester, the Vikings will shift their focus to CVal, Riot Games’ official collegiate Valorant league that includes hundreds of teams nationwide. 

Danon said the group plans to build on the momentum from their fall performance. 

“In the past, spring semester hasn’t been our strongest. But now? I’m confident we can actually do really well,” he said. “Someday, I plan to bring home a first-place trophy for Augie.”

Knutson believes this fall’s result sets a new standard for the program. 

“I’d like to see all three of our teams qualify for LAN in the spring,” he said. “We have the core. We have the work ethic. And this fall showed what they’re capable of.”