Lakeville North Esports Teams Earn Top Finishes at State

High school esports teams place in the top four at Minnesota Varsity League Winter State tournament

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract esports tournament scene, with overlapping planes of bright red, blue, and yellow shapes representing the energy and action of competitive video game play.Lakeville North High School's esports teams shine at the state tournament, showcasing the growing competitive spirit of high school gaming.Lakeville Today

The Lakeville North High School Esports team had a strong showing at the Minnesota Varsity League Winter State tournament, with their Marvel Rivals team placing second, their Valorant team placing second, and their Mario Kart team placing fourth.

Why it matters

Esports is a rapidly growing industry, and high school esports programs provide students with opportunities to compete at a high level and develop valuable skills in teamwork, strategy, and technology. Lakeville North's success at the state tournament highlights the strength of their esports program and the talent of their student athletes.

The details

At the tournament, held at St. Cloud State University on March 13, each of Lakeville North's esports teams placed in the top four in their respective games. The Valorant team, consisting of Colton Boyer, Matthew Genz, Logan Hebig, Nathan Hoang, Taym Saadedeen, and Oliver Soliman, placed second. The Marvel Rivals team, which included Nathan Hoang, Breckin Keilbart, Liam McMahon, Aaron Painter, Taym Saadedeen, and Oliver Soliman, also placed second. The Mario Kart team, made up of Caleb Gilbert and Easton Olson, placed fourth.

  • The tournament took place on the weekend of March 13, 2026 at St. Cloud State University.

The players

Lakeville North High School Esports Team

The high school esports team from Lakeville North that competed in the Minnesota Varsity League Winter State tournament.

Minnesota Varsity League

The competitive high school esports league in Minnesota that hosted the Winter State tournament.

St. Cloud State University

The university that hosted the Minnesota Varsity League Winter State tournament.

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The takeaway

Lakeville North's strong performance at the state esports tournament demonstrates the growth and competitiveness of high school esports programs in Minnesota. As esports continues to gain popularity, these types of achievements by student athletes highlight the valuable skills and experiences they are gaining through participation in these programs.