Samuel Sumpter, Connor Lyles, Vincent Valenti, Tra Guthrie, and Noah Trigg are competing in a Rainbow Six Siege match. The team lost in a close game against the University of Michigan at Flint on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The Arkansas State University E-Sports team is kicking its spring season off strong with an almost completely new Rainbow Six Siege (R6) team roster, following its 2025 national title. 

Vincent Valenti is a junior psychology major from Bethpage, New York, and captain of the team. He said personality and gaming potential played a crucial role in his choice of new recruits. 

“There’s a lot more than picking the best player”, Valenti said.

Tra Guthrie, a junior marketing major from Wynne, Arkansas, and returning member of the team, said he is excited about the new lineup.

“The new guys have brought great energy and skill, and we’re already seeing strong growth as a unit,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie said the new team is focused on building chemistry and creating a good environment. 

Noah Trigg, a junior computer science major from Malvern, Arkansas, another member of the team, said while winning is nice, at the end of the day they just want to have fun.

The team is looking forward to a trip to Utah for the Salt Lake City Major R6 tournament. However, funding presents a challenge.

The only source of funding for the team comes from donations, fundraising, and tournament prizes. 

“Being able to compete in person and represent the university outside of campus would be a huge step for our program,” Guthrie said.

Currently, the Rainbow Six Siege team is busy working to get a regional win to qualify for the 2026 national tournament and win another title.

The Rainbow Six Siege team, as well as other A-State E-Sports teams, can be watched live on Twitch.

Categories: Sports