Eastern Wyoming College’s new Esports team is off to a 10-0 start in Fortnite for the NJCAAE Summer series.

“I’m very happy with our first run this summer and hope to continue our success in the Fall at Tier 1,” Lancer Esports coach Caleb Spitzer said.

The Summer series is the Tier 3 tournament the NJCAAE hosts over the summer months of May-July, he added.

“Ryder (Tillard) and Kody (Trewhella) are putting in a ton of work this summer, practicing with each other several times a week, and working with me on reviewing their games,” Spitzer said of his Fortnite team. “Their passion and commitment are paramount to our success, without the drive they have we wouldn’t be where we are.”

Tillard is ranked in the “Unreal” rank, the highest rank Epic Games has for their ranking ladder on Fortnite in the top 3,500 players worldwide. There are over 500 million players worldwide.

The ranking is based on numerous factors from each ranked game you play, mostly based off of eliminations, and how long you survive. Ranked points are awarded based on this performance, Spitzer said.

“This has been such an amazing opportunity to be apart of and there is so much more to come,” Tillard said. “I want to take every tournament and game one at a time. From hitting the Unreal rank, the hardest feat to achieve in Fortnite, to how the season has been going, I’m just thankful to be able to show the world what we got and for my coach, family and everyone with me”

There are three additional games in the summer series, which ends the last Monday of July. The fall preseason, Tier 1 preseason will kick off Aug. 1.

With the NJCAA, there are three tiers. Tier 3 sports are available to current students both full and part-time as well as dual students, employees and alumni.

Tier 2 and 1 teams will begin in the fall and are only open to those enrolled full-time and in contact with Coach Spitzer.

Esports was added to the EWC this last spring. Tillard and Trewhella were the first two members of the team. Spitzer is still recruiting team members. Scholarships are available and he plans to start with 15 team members. The goal is to have 10 team members in Torrington and at least five on the EWC campus in Douglas.

Esports team members can compete from anywhere, making it possible for students who are dual enrolled or remote to be a part of the team.

“My long-term goal is to have a team of 30,” Spitzer said. “It is a growing sport and it is lots of fun.”

For information about becoming a Lancer contact, coach Spitzer at cspitzer@ewc.ey.edu.