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After open tryouts, WSU esports sees high recruitment and retention maintaining ‘team culture’

Sophomore Ashton Nave plays “Super Smash Bros Ultimate” at the WSU Esports open tryouts on Aug. 29. Students were invited to come show their skills in an open tryout against other students.

When Carsen Blasdel was a freshman in high school he spent much of his downtime, courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing “Rocket League.” Now a freshman at WSU, Blasdel has found a community of competitive video game enthusiasts.

This fall, Wichita State’s esports program held a week of open tryouts with each day focused on a different game. WSU hosts teams in “Call of Duty,” “Rocket League,” “Super Smash Bros,” “Overwatch” and “Valorant.