As the curtains draw close on another eventful sports season at Wayne State College, the Recreation Services department takes a moment to honor the outstanding achievements and contributions of its various programs. From the virtual arenas of esports to the physical fields of rugby, each team member has left an indelible mark on their programs. Let's take a journey through the highlights of the 2023-2024 season.

ESPORTS
The League of Legends team at Wayne State College has showcased exceptional talent and dedication throughout the season, securing an impressive 11-8 record. Their victories at events like Northern Rift and the Kansas State Invitational underscore their dominance in the digital realm. Among the standout performers, Vaughn Finkral's consistent excellence and leadership on the battlefield earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, a testament to his invaluable contributions to the team's success.

Despite facing challenges, the Overwatch 2 team displayed resilience and determination, compiling a commendable 9-15 record. Notable achievements include victories at various tournaments and events, highlighting the team's competitive spirit. Among the roster, Austin Schuller emerged as a standout performer, consistently delivering stellar performances and leading by example. His exceptional skill and dedication earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, recognizing his significant impact on the team's achievements.

The Call of Duty team at Wayne State College has demonstrated exceptional skill and prowess throughout the season, compiling a commendable 9-14 record. Their notable finishes at tournaments such as the Rockstar Invitational and Northern Rift underscore their competitive spirit and dedication. Among the standout players, Michael Costlow's outstanding contributions on the battlefield set him apart. His leadership, strategic acumen, and consistent performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, recognizing his pivotal role in the team's success.

With an impressive 11-9 record, the Rainbow Six Siege team at Wayne State College showcased exceptional skill and tactical prowess throughout the season. Their dominance in the digital battleground was evident in victories at prestigious events and tournaments. Among the roster, Reed Hingst emerged as a standout player, consistently delivering clutch performances and leading the team to victory. His exceptional skill, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, a fitting tribute to his invaluable contributions to the team's success.

Despite facing challenges, the Valorant team at Wayne State College demonstrated resilience and determination, posting a commendable 6-8 record. Their notable achievements include victories against formidable opponents, showcasing their competitive spirit and skill. Among the standout players, Markus Martin's exceptional performance and leadership on the battlefield set him apart. His strategic prowess, consistent excellence, and unwavering dedication earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, recognizing his significant impact on the team's achievements.

With a remarkable 34-21 record, the Rocket League team at Wayne State College soared to new heights, securing victories at prestigious events and tournaments. Their dominance on the virtual pitch was evident in their exceptional performance throughout the season. Among the roster, Jace Hoferer emerged as a standout player, consistently delivering stellar performances and leading the team to victory. His exceptional skill, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, recognizing his pivotal role in the team's success.

In the electrifying world of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Wayne State College team showcased exceptional skill and talent, posting an impressive 27-14 record. Their dominance in the competitive arena was evident in their stellar performances throughout the season. Among the roster, Trey McQuay emerged as a standout player, consistently delivering clutch performances and leading the team to victory. His exceptional skill, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, recognizing his invaluable contributions to the team's success.

Beyond individual achievements, the spirit of leadership and dedication shone brightly across the sports community at Wayne State College. Travis Fisher, recipient of the Esports Coach's Award, exemplified qualities of leadership, initiative, and teamwork, while Gus Vallejo was celebrated as the Newcomer of the Year for his exemplary dedication and commitment to personal growth.

RUGBY
Under the guidance of Coach Bryn Chivers, the Women's Rugby team showcased remarkable prowess throughout the season. With a commendable 4-3 record in 15's competition, including challenging matchups against Division I opponents like Southern Nazarene and adult-club sides such as the Omaha Goats, the team continued to demonstrate their competitive edge. Their journey culminated in a qualification for the NCR 15s championships, where they reached the round of 8 before being defeated. K'Sha Beamon was rightfully honored with the Most Valuable Player award, a testament to her outstanding contributions on the field.

Led by Coach Chivers, the Men's Rugby team embarked on a memorable journey in the National Collegiate Rugby Small College Division. With a commendable 5-2 record during the regular season, including notable victories against esteemed opponents like Colorado School of Mines and the University of Iowa, the team demonstrated their mettle. Their remarkable run in the NCR championships saw them clinch victories against formidable opponents, earning them a spot in the NCR Final Four in Houston, Texas. Despite falling short in the final, the team's resilience and determination were evident throughout. Notable players Sean Munemo, Banele Jiyane, and Asante Rikhotso were rightfully recognized with All-American honors, while Jayden James earned the prestigious Most Valuable Player award.

CLUB SPORTS
Advised by Cameron Geisert, the Men's Soccer team showcased their prowess on the field, compiling a commendable 5-5 record during the season. Despite facing formidable competition in the Great Plains Soccer Conference, the team displayed resilience and skill in each match. Noteworthy victories against rivals such as Augustana and USD highlighted their competitive spirit, with Jose Hernandez rightfully earning the Most Valuable Player award for his exceptional contributions throughout the season.

Under the guidance of Advisor Grant Schrick, the Shotgun Sports team proved their mark in the Prairie States Conference. Competing in the ACUI Scholastic Clay Target National tournament, the team demonstrated precision and skill on the range. Karsten Gray's stellar performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, a testament to his dedication and proficiency in the sport.

Advised by Chad Maas, the Wrestling team showcased their prowess on the mat throughout the season. With commendable performances in various tournaments, including a notable third-place finish at the Colorado State Invitational, the team displayed their strength and skill. Notable wrestler Gavin Zoucha's remarkable fifth-place finish at Nationals earned him All-American status, alongside his teammates Chance Sjulin and Lane Barton, who were recognized as Academic All-Americans. Zoucha's exceptional contributions earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, a fitting tribute to his dedication and skill.

Led by advisor Jason Price, the Men's Volleyball team competed in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation. The team faced off against tough opponents in the Midwest Plains Volleyball Conference Championships in Aurora, Illinois, and the NCVF National Tournament in Kansas City, MO. Despite the fierce competition, the team displayed resilience and tenacity, finishing 21st out of 48 teams at the national tournament with a commendable 3-4 record. Throughout the season, standout player Aaron Koeppe demonstrated exceptional leadership and skill on the court, earning him the title of Most Valuable Player. 

Under the guidance of Advisor Rachel Kunz, the Women's Volleyball team competed in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation, the team displayed their talent and dedication at six tournaments throughout the year, traveling across the Midwest to venues such as Omaha, Lincoln, Lenexa, Kansas, and Aurora, Illinois. The season was highlighted by a stellar performance at the Creighton University Invitational, where the team achieved a 3-2 record. Notable victories over esteemed opponents such as UNO, UNL, Kansas, and Kansas State underscored the team's competitive spirit and determination. Maddie Guernsey was recognized as the Most Valuable Player.

Led by founder and coach Miguel Barajas, the Disc Golf team demonstrated their skill and precision on the course. Competing in various tournaments throughout the season, the team showcased their dedication and proficiency in the sport. Blake Austin's stellar performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, highlighting his exceptional talent and commitment to the team.

Advised by Paul McCawley, the Baseball team showcased their talent and determination on the diamond. Despite facing challenges throughout the season, the team displayed resilience and perseverance in each game. Jordan Oviedo's outstanding contributions earned him the title of Most Valuable Player, a testament to his dedication and skill on the field.

In addition to individual accolades, the Wayne State College Sports Clubs also recognized outstanding leadership and overall excellence within the clubs. Gavin Zoucha, president of the Wrestling club, was honored with the Excellence in Leadership award for his positive attitude, effective communication, and devotion to the advancement of the program. Furthermore, the Wrestling club was awarded the prestigious Sport Club of the Year award for their significant contributions to Wayne State College and the Wayne community, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and perseverance in their activities and competitions.