Lions triumph as Esports State Champions

By Cheryl Allen

LONE TREE

Lone Tree High School’s esports team came out on top at the 2025 Spring Showdown, competing in Valorant, a tactical action game known for its precision and strategic teamplay. The 2025 Class 1A champs are Lone Tree’s first Esports State Championship team.

“We had an undefeated season and were ranked top of our division for the entire year,” coach Jessica Howard said. “My players went in to play Dike New Hartford and won the first round 13-2 and the second round 13-7. The second match, we played Belmond-Klemme and won the first round 13-11 and the second round 13-3.

“After that, we advanced to the championship round against Hampton-Dumont-Cal and won the first round 13-8 and the last round 13-4. With the final score, Grayson Spilman won by earning an ACE, meaning he eliminated the other team single-handedly, which is a huge feat,” she said.

Team captain Nic Bowman lead the entire state in stats all season long, as well as during the state tournament; the 11th grader was recently named one of the Top 100 Esports Prospects from the Class of ’26 by LeagueOS.

In addition to Bowman and Spilman, Lone Tree’s esports team consists of 11th graders Cade Willoz and Adrian Ehlinger and 12th grader Lukas Fuhrmeister. Subs are 11th graders Carter Lisk and Vaughn Judge.