SLU Esports Wins First National Title

06/11/2024

Saint Louis University's Varsity League of Legends Esports team are now National Champions. The Billikens defeated Maryville University on Saturday, June 8, to claim the national title.

The National Championship victory is the first ever in the four-year-old program's history.

The SLU Esports team celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2024 CLOL College Championship. Photo submitted.

In the finals, SLU faced two-time National Champion Maryville. The Billikens pulled out a 3-1 win to secure the title. The match took place at the 2024 CLOL College Championship in Boise, Idaho.

SLU's run to the title was historic. SLU opened the 2024 CLOL College Championship with a loss to the University of St. Thomas, a two-time National Champion. The Billikens wouldn't lose again in the double-elimination tournament.

SLU made it all the way through the loser's bracket in the double-elimination tournament. SLU took out Ole Miss 3-2, Winthrop University 3-1, and Northwood University 3-0 before getting revenge on St. Thomas. With a 3-1 win on Sunday, May 26, against St. Thomas, SLU punched their ticket to the grand finals.

The SLU starting roster for the tournament was Jett "Srtty" Joye in the Top Lane, Winston "Winnie" Herold in the Jungle, Isaac "Darkwings" Chou in the Middle Lane, Aaron "Airren" Li in the bottom lane, Daniel "Skytec" Soetikno as the support and Mervin "Dayos" Lachica as the head coach.

The championship match was the Billikens' first-ever appearance in the finals in program history.