Texas Wesleyan Esports Caps Strong Season with Conference Championship Appearance Led by Team Captain Christopher Escamilla

The Texas Wesleyan Esports team wrapped up one of its strongest seasons yet with a trip to the conference championship — a milestone that showcased the program’s growth, resilience, and steady leadership.
At the center of that growth was Christopher Escamilla, a senior mass communications major from Corpus Christi and the team’s captain. Even though this was only his second semester as a starter, Escamilla played a major role in keeping the team focused through every high and low of the season.

Escamilla’s journey to esports began unexpectedly. Due to a baseball injury at his previous college in Kansas, he transferred to Texas Wesleyan and discovered the esports program. What started as an interest quickly became a competitive passion, eventually leading him into a leadership role.
The Rams opened the season with two tough losses — one that went to a deciding map and another that ended in a sweep — forcing the team to have honest conversations about their direction. With roster changes and early setbacks, many wondered if the year would be more about rebuilding than competing.
“After that second match, we said we were looking to rebuild,” Escamilla said. The team committed to the basics, increased their practice time, and streamlined their gameplay strategy.
That focus paid off. The Rams picked up their first win against University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and then went on an impressive streak, collecting win after win. One of the biggest highlights was finally defeating the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)— a team they hadn’t beaten since the previous fall.

Their late-season momentum carried into playoffs, where their performance confirmed they were ready for a deep run. “We realized we had a big chance of winning the whole conference,” Escamilla said. “We started the year saying it was rebuilding — and now look where we’re at.”Texas Wesleyan went on to compete in the conference championship match, pushing the series to a final map before ultimately finishing as the runner-up. Despite the close loss, the appearance marked a major achievement for the program.

With a strong core returning, a former teammate rejoining the roster, and players continuing to practice and study the game, the Rams are already looking ahead to build on this momentum in the spring.
Escamilla hopes more people understand the dedication behind collegiate esports. “People think we just sit and play, but there’s a lot more to it,” he said. “There’s practice, ups and downs — it’s just like any sport.”
After a season defined by growth, grit, and strong leadership, Texas Wesleyan Esports heads into next semester motivated, confident, and hungry for another shot at the title.