LATC Esports Teams Earn Invitation to Prestigious Midwest Clash Tournament

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The burgeoning esports program at Lake Area Technical College (LATC) has received a significant honor: an invitation for its Rocket League and Valorant teams to compete in the prestigious Midwest Clash Tournament.

The event is scheduled for November 1–2 in Chicago, gathering top collegiate programs from across the region for high-level competition.

The invitation reflects the second-year program's accelerating momentum and strong competitive performance, signaling its growing reputation within the collegiate esports landscape.

“Being invited to the Midwest Clash is a huge accomplishment for our players,” said Bryce LeBlanc, Lake Area Technical College Esports Coach. “Both our Rocket League and Valorant teams have worked hard to build their skills, communication, and teamwork. This opportunity gives them the chance to compete against some of the best collegiate programs in the Midwest and showcase what Lake Area Tech Esports is all about.”

The Competing Teams

Two distinct teams at the tournament will represent LATC:

· Rocket League: This fast-paced, high-octane game combines the strategy of soccer with the action of driving, where teams use rocket-powered vehicles to score goals.

·  Valorant: A tactical, team-based first-person shooter that blends precision gameplay and strategy with unique character abilities.

The two-day tournament is expected to feature high-stakes matches across multiple game titles. Fans will have the opportunity to follow all the action live, as every match will be streamed on Twitch.

Esports Program Gains Recognition

Esports continues to be one of the fastest-growing activities on college campuses nationwide, attracting students interested in competition, teamwork, and digital strategy. The LATC program offers students a dynamic environment to compete, connect, and develop strategic and technical skills in this rapidly expanding field.

Established in 1965 in Watertown, Lake Area Technical College was South Dakota’s first technical college. It currently serves nearly 2,700 students across more than 30 programs, demonstrating a commitment to technical education and student development in emerging industries like competitive gaming.