Kansas City, Mo. – The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) released their 2024 All-Star teams and Coach of the Year Finalists last Wednesday, July 3. Two Valkyrie players were honored as Second Team All-Stars while two coaches earned finalist spots for their respective games. The program was also a finalist for Marketing Team of the Year while graduate assistant Ashley Weaver was named a finalist for Social Media Producer of the Year.

Caleb "Hammer" Chang was selected as a second team DPS in Overwatch 2 while Devin Yates earned second team ADC in League of Legends. Louis "Tikatee" Lebel-Wong put his time with  Team Canada and the Dallas Fuel to use as he earned a finalist nod in Overwatch 2. Xavier "Xav" Vaillancourt put his time as the general manager of the Cincinnati Fear to the test and earned a finalist spot in League of Legends.

"As a director, there is nothing that fills you with more pride than seeing the hard work, dedication, and passion our students and staff have put into themselves and our program be recognized on such a national level as the NACE Awards," stated Converse University esports director Katie Harry. "Each and every one of our nominees exemplifies the culture of excellence and diligence we strive to create at Converse Esports and I could not be more proud of their accomplishments."

The Valkyries esports program achieved new heights during the 2023-24 academic year. Both the Overwatch team and League of Legends teams won Peach Belt Championships by winning three matches without dropping a game to their competition. Yates recorded two pentakills in the three PBC Championship matches, helping him earn tournament MVP honors.

"What can I even say beyond having immense pride in what our players and staff have accomplished," stated Weaver. "To get to be in my position and see everyday the hard work, the grind, the trials and tribulations, and most importantly the growth that they go through...it's truly inspiring. I am beyond words for how proud I am of each and every one of them."

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