The Colorado Mesa University eSports team continued its rise on the collegiate stage after earning two first-place finishes at the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Series Local Area Network (LAN) tournament in Denver on Nov. 15-16, 2025.
The team, known as the Stegos and Toads, competed against institutions such as the University of Wyoming, Fort Lewis College, Colorado State University Pueblo, the Air Force Academy and the University of Colorado Boulder. Several of the competing programs operate at a larger scale, but CMU did not count itself out against more established teams.
The Stegos and Toads came together to defeat CU Boulder in the finals, avenging a previous loss and returning to Grand Junction with the trophy. Overwatch 2 is a game of strategy and teamwork, requiring teams to defend key areas of the map against opposing players. The Stegos and Toads relied on ample communication and a well-planned strategy to secure the win. In the final round, the team competed on a map they had limited experience with, drawing opposing cheers in the arena. Despite the unfamiliar setting, the team remained calm and collected and finished the match with an upset victory.
“A successful trip shows our eSports teams are serious competitive teams, with committed players who want to prove their skill on larger stages,” noted Lindsey Chaskelis, coach of the Overwatch 2 team.
CMU also found success in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where third-year student Landon Giacoletto led the team to a win using the in-game character Donkey Kong. The win capped a strong weekend for CMU eSports and highlighted the program’s continued growth since its founding as a student club in 2015.