STORM LAKE, Iowa — The 2024–25 academic year marked a defining chapter for Buena Vista University Esports. With explosive growth across multiple game titles, deep playoff runs, a packed calendar of regional tournaments, and academic excellence to back it up, the Beavers cemented themselves as a rising powerhouse in collegiate esports.
With over 80 student-athletes, three conference affiliations, and more than a dozen active rosters, BVU Esports delivered on every level: competition, leadership, community, and classroom.

ECAC: Statement Wins and Championship Appearances

In the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), BVU teams made their presence known across multiple divisions and titles:

Valorant (Fall 2024)

• Regular Season: 9-2 (2nd in group)
   
• Playoff Run:
   
  • Defeated Montana (2-0)
     
  • Upset #3 Ole Miss (2-0)
     
  • Beat #2 CUNY Hostos (3-1)
     
  • Finals: Narrow loss to Catholic University of America (3-2)
     

This marked one of BVU's most impressive finishes in program history, falling just short of a championship but showcasing elite-level talent, strategy, and cohesion.

Rocket League Navy (Fall 2024)

• 6-3 overall, 2nd in group
   
• Playoff seed: #4
   
• Defeated Behrend (4-1) and top seed Molloy (4-3)
   
• Finals: Fell to St. Mary's Texas (4-0)
   

Other ECAC Highlights

• Overwatch Gold: Playoff team, eliminated by top-seeded Army West Point
   
• Overwatch White & Navy: Battled through tough divisions with competitive showings
   
• Call of Duty: Top-20 finish out of 27 teams
   
• Madden (PS5): Beau Wilken 4-3, finished 31st of 89
   
• NBA 2K (Xbox): Ashley Tompkins 4-3, finished 39th of 62
   
• Fortnite No Builds Trios: 758 points — missed playoffs by just 5 points
   

 NECC & Nationals: Spring Surge and Multi-Title Brilliance
Spring 2025 brought a second wave of success, with teams pushing into NECC playoffs and national brackets:

Overwatch Navy

• Regular Season: 7-0 (1st in group)
   
• Playoff Champions – defeated Cornell JV, Carthage, and Wayne State in the finals
   
• National Stage: Reached the semifinals, beating Catholic University before falling to Wayne State and Cornell JV in the 3rd-place match
   

Rainbow Six Siege

• 11-2 overall
   
• 3rd place finish in NECC Division C
   
• Reached D5 Nationals Finals
   
  • Wins over West Virginia Tech and NDSU
     
  • Finals: Fell to Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (3-0)

Valorant (Spring)

• Overall: 7-4
   
• Playoffs: Top seed in Division E, reached Grand Finals after wins over Siena College and Rio Grande
   
• Finals: Lost to Saint Peter's University (4-0)
   

MVEC: Undefeated Rocket League and LAN Bragging Rights

In the Mississippi Valley Esports Conference (MVEC), BVU brought home trophies and recognition:

Rocket League Gold

• Regular Season: 7-0 (undefeated)
   
• Playoff LAN at Simpson College: #1 seed, dominant throughout
   
• Awards:
   
  • Skyler Keller: Conference MVP, 1st Team
     
  • Ryan Webb: 2nd Team
     
  • All-Academic: Ashton Greenough, Matthew Mills
     

Smash Bros Gold

• 3-4 record, qualified as 5th seed for LAN
   
• Academic Awards: Matthew Forristal, Elphazard Kadisha, Alexander Galati
   
• Honorable Mentions: Matthew Forristal & Gregory Stueven
   

 Collegiate Karting League

One of BVU's most unique competitive programs also saw major wins:

• Fall: 9-3 record

Playoffs:  Beat #3 Auburn 2-0, Lost to #1 New Mexico State 2-0 in Championship
 

• Spring: 11-1 overall
   
  • Regular Season: 10-0
     
  • Playoffs: Defeated New Mexico State; finished 2nd place overall
     

LANs, Tournaments, and Live Events

BVU Esports had a presence everywhere this year from regional tournaments to campus-hosted showcases:

• Highland CC Overwatch LAN: 2-1 finish, including 2-0 wins over Highland CC and Iowa Western finishing 4th behind Cornell College, K-State and Kansas
   
• Northern Iowa Knockout (Smash):
   
  • Singles: 7-10 overall
     
  • Strong showings from Matt Forristal, Elphazard Kadisha, and Alex Galati
     
• MVEC LAN @ Simpson: 3-team showing (Overwatch, Smash, Rocket League)
   
• Showdown at the Wild Rose:
   
  • BVU ran a community-facing esports event at Wild Rose Casino in Emmetsburg featuring Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart, building high school engagement and local presence
     

Academic Excellence & National Recognition

BVU Esports isn't just competing, we're leading academically:

• 22 ECAC All-Academic Honorees (most of any school)
   
• 29 NECC All-Academic Honorees (2nd most in the league)
  Individual Honors: Leadership on Display

Director of Esports Trevor Bereneking

• Winner: Outstanding Commitment Award
   
• Recognized for dedication to team culture, development, and outreach

Albert Rassavong

• Finalist for four national-level honors:
   
  • Scholastic Esports: Rising Star Award
     
  • Game Changer Award
     
  • CECC Commissioner of the Year
     
  • NACE Advocate of the Year

These nominations spotlight the leadership and vision behind BVU Esports at the director level recognizing the work being done to grow a competitive, inclusive, and future-focused program that's making waves nationally.

Looking Ahead

From near-championship runs in Valorant and Rainbow Six, to the undefeated Rocket League squad, to standout showings at national tournaments and regional LANs, BVU Esports delivered a year of serious momentum.
With more high school outreach, community engagement, and a growing reputation across collegiate circuits, BVU is shaping into one of the Midwest's premier esports destinations.
The bar has been raised and 2025–26 is already on the horizon.

To learn more about BVU Esports, visit bvu.edu/esports or follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok @BVUEsports.