T-R PHOTO BY VANESSA ROUDABUSH Amber Lawthers of MCC, who won the 2022 National Mario Kart 8 DX Championship, visited STC High School, competing against Corbin Bergmann in Mario Kart. While Lawthers swept the race with Luigi, Bergmann didn’t let that slow him on the track.

TAMA — On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Marshalltown Community College eSports program visited South Tama County High School for a presentation and to sign up three senior students to join the MCC family.

During the presentation, STC students learned about the opportunities in the gaming sphere at MCC for scholarships, gaming majors, and the potential to make eSports a profession. MCC Mario Kart Team Captain and 2022 National Mario Kart 8 DX Champion Amber Lawthers talked with students about her experiences in eSports.

“I thought I didn’t want to be involved in anything in college. I just wanted to get my degree and get out, but then the eSports Program showed up. I was a walk-on to the eSports team at MCC, meaning I didn’t tryout during tryouts. I don’t think they knew what they were signing up for,” said Lawthers. “It led to me getting involved in college, and it’s been really fun for me. I went undefeated in the [Mario Kart 8 DX] regular season, 28-0. I made it to the playoffs, winning the entire thing.”

After students raced against Lawthers in Mario Kart, three STC seniors, Corbin Bergmann, Wade Cosgrove and Caleb Cosgrove, signed up to attend Marshalltown Community College after graduating. They’ll still have to try out for the eSports team, but these hypercompetitive teens will spend the remainder of their senior career gearing up for the game.

“I’m super proud of Corbin, Wade, and Caleb. I’m happy for them and their families. When we started the eSports team, one of our goals was to demonstrate how eSports is a growing activity, a real thing for college. It’s not just about playing video games. I’m super happy we can demonstrate so quickly that things can change in people’s lives through eSports,” STC eSports Coach Mike Carnahan said.

Corbin Bergmann will begin his college career at MCC in the Spring of 2024. Bergmann hopes to play League of Legends or Smash Bros. for the Tigers. After his college career at MCC, he wishes to pursue a degree in law while continuing his passion for gaming.

“eSports started my junior year. I’m excited and a bit nervous now that I’m leaving high school. It’s overall going to be a new experience I’m excited about,” Bergmann said. “If you enjoy playing video games, I’d recommend going out for eSports or trying to find a tournament because I really enjoyed my time playing eSports at the high school. I’m excited to play more competitively at MCC.”

Wade Cosgrove is set to begin MCC in the Fall of 2023. Cosgrove enjoys playing Overwatch 2, Siege, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros. While he hasn’t decided on a major, he’s still pumped for his college career.

“I’m excited and nervous because I didn’t expect to do something like that. But it’s exciting to have the potential to get [scholarship] money for something I love doing. I’m excited to play Mario Kart my senior year for varsity,” he said.

Caleb Cosgrove mostly enjoys Overwatch 2 and Siege but has also been behind the controller on Mario Kart and Smash Bros. He’s signed up to go to MCC, and while he hasn’t determined his major, he’s excited to try out for their eSports team.

“I’m excited but mostly nervous [about trying out for eSports at MCC],” said Caleb. “I’m excited to play Mario Kart my senior year [of high school] and hang out with my friends playing games.”

The STC eSports Spring season will begin in March, playing Mario Kart 8 DX on Nintendo Switch.

“We’re hoping to build off last year’s 7th-place finish in Mario Kart. Mario Kart will be a big game for us in the spring. It’s definitely popular with our students, and we hope to have a good team this spring,” Coach Carnahan said. “If any students are interested in playing, please talk to me. We’ll find a place for them. In a school setting like this, it’s all about finding a place where you belong. And if eSports is it, I’m happy to talk with you.”