North Tama senior Landon Kucera holds up his new Marshalltown Community College Esports jersey following his official signing ceremony held in the North Tama gym commons last Friday. Kucera will join the Tigers next school year. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – North Tama senior Landon ‘Kuch’ Kucera signed a letter of intent last Friday to continue his esports and academic careers at Marshalltown Community College.

With his family by his side as well as MCC Esports head coach Andrew Goforth and Overwatch 2 Title coach Rick Davis, Kucera committed to playing for one of three MCC Overwatch teams next school year.

“He played super well at the state tournament [this year],” Coach Goforth said of Kucera.

Kucera played for North Tama’s Esports Overwatch 2 team this year which took third place on Feb. 23 at the Iowa High School Esports Association’s State Winter Final. It was the first esports state trophy in school history.

He has been playing the team-based, multiplayer, first-person shooter game since late 2016 when it first debuted.

North Tama senior Landon Kucera, seated, pictured during his signing ceremony with Marshalltown Community College held in the gym commons last Friday afternoon in Traer. Also pictured (back row, l-r), MCC Esports head coach Andrew Goforth, MCC Esports Overwatch 2 Title coach Rick Davis, and North Tama esports head coach Levi LaRue. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Last December, the top-tier MCC esports program added two more National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) championships to its lengthy list of accolades including one in the Overwatch 2 Contender Series.

For his part, Kucera said he is aiming high when it comes to which MCC team he will be assigned to next season.

“I’m gonna shoot for the gold team, they’re top tier team.”

After signing his letter of intent, Coach Goforth offered Kucera a couple words of wisdom including, “Finish up your high school year strong. We’re happy to have you aboard. Super excited.”

Kucera’s plans as an MCC Tiger include pursuing a degree in esports management.

North Tama senior Landon Kucera, seated, pictured alongside his family during his signing ceremony with Marshalltown Community College held in the gym commons last Friday afternoon in Traer. Also pictured (back row, l-r), Kucera’s parents Rob and Stacy Kucera, and brother Dalton Kucera. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Redhawk esports player Landon Kucera, seated, pictured during his signing ceremony with Marshalltown Community College held in the gym commons last Friday afternoon in Traer. Also pictured (back row, l-r), North Tama esports player Johnathan Cochran, head coach Levi LaRue, and North Tama esports player Alex Meggers. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER