By: Kellen Gormley
Mines Club Esports' Varsity Apex Legends team gained valuable tournament experience while competing in the Rocky Mountain Apex Invitational, a two-day event featuring 20 collegiate teams from across the country.
The Orediggers faced a deep and highly competitive field that included programs such as Iowa State, Texas A&M, San Jose State, Colorado State, UC Santa Cruz, Utah, and Colorado, among others. Across Saturday and Sunday competition, Mines finished 9th overall on Day 1 before closing the tournament 16th on Match Point Day.
Despite limited practice and entering their first-ever Apex Legends tournament, the Mines roster delivered one of the most memorable moments of the entire event in the opening match.
Statement Win to Open the Event
Mines announced their presence immediately by winning the first game of the tournament, defeating Iowa State University, the highest-ranked team entering the event. The victory came as a surprise not only to spectators, but to the team itself, which entered the weekend expecting a steep learning curve against experienced opponents.
The trio of Glenn "Asterisks," Abram "I'm Just Here," and Dean "Talon" each made key plays throughout the match, combining strong mechanical skill with disciplined rotations to secure the win.
Dean "Talon" stood out in particular, showcasing strong in-game leadership by directing team decisions, setting the pace of engagements, and guiding the squad's overall playstyle throughout the tournament.
Building Momentum and Experience
Across the weekend, Mines continued to battle against some of the nation's top collegiate Apex programs, gaining experience in high-pressure lobbies and match-point scenarios. While Sunday's results were more challenging, the weekend served as a critical developmental step for the program as it continues to grow.
Beyond the gameplay, the team noted the welcoming and supportive environment from other competing schools, helping make the Invitational a positive and motivating experience for Mines Esports as a whole.
Looking Ahead
With a signature upset already under their belts and a full tournament of experience gained, the Mines Apex Varsity team leaves the Rocky Mountain Apex Invitational with momentum, confidence, and a strong foundation to build on moving forward.
