Marshalltown Community College esports wins 12th national title in four years
The championships keep stacking up for Marshalltown Community College.
On Oct. 12, MCC esports secured its 12th national title in just four years as a program, capturing the Collegiate Karting League Division II crown with an undefeated season against two- and four-year institutions.
“Marshalltown College with the undefeated season — your Division II champions,” a broadcast call proclaimed.
Sophomore Tess Pacza, captain of the six-person national championship Mario Kart team, said the Tigers never flinched against bigger schools.
“We really worked hard. None of the four-year schools worked as hard and wanted it as bad as we did,” Pacza said. “We really put in the work that needed to be put in.”
Much of that work happens in a new on-campus space — the former college bookstore — now outfitted for Nintendo racing and fighting titles, including Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.
The room reflects MCC’s investment in facilities that mirror the competitive demands of collegiate esports.
Program leaders say participation has exploded.
“We started with 22. We’re at 90,” esports coach Nathan Rodemeyer said in a vlog interview. “We have probably about 40, 50 console players — those are people that play on Nintendo Switches and PlayStations.”
“There’s a legitimate need for both the PC players and the console students to have their own place to practice and compete,” Rodemeyer added, underscoring how infrastructure supports sustained success and athlete development.
The results are visible in banners and hardware across campus, with esports operating under the athletics umbrella and serving as a magnet for students who love gaming.
“They’ve definitely put esports on the map for Marshalltown and for the college,” MCC Athletic Director Whitney Sowers said. “It’s brought in a ton of students who are excited to be part of the program.”
MCC Esports doesn’t rebuild every two years — it reloads.
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