ESPORTS @UCLA

CONNOR "cjen" JENNISON   |   flex

JACKY"Gosu" XIE   |   flex

The UCLA Counter-Strike team has boasted some of the best talents in collegiate Counter-Strike, establishing itself as a powerhouse squad in the past two years.

Having habitually placed at least top 8 in the nation in every conceivable tournament in 2015-2016, the team lost key player William "Wutswrong" Jeong to graduation. However, 2016-2017 would see UCLA continue its dominance of the collegiate scene. Shotcaller Devin Fung returned to the squad after a gap year and with the addition of Global Elite newcomer Connor Jennison, UCLA picked up right where they left off.

Capping off their 2016-2017 Collegiate Starleague season with an undefeated record, UCLA would make it all the way to the final four, playing live in front of an audience in Toronto. Unfortunately, they would lose in straight sets to CUNY Baruch. Despite the end to their CSL season, UCLA continued their dominance in other tournaments, placing second at BeachCon at CSULB as well as strong placings in other tournaments.

With Brad "raxa" Jiang stepping down from the main roster this year, UCLA filled the void with freshman flex player Christian "crazpancake" De Caro. Only time will tell how well the rookie will perform, filling the shoes of the former star player.

UCLA CS: GO returns to action in fall of 2017.