Esports Mario Kart Team Prepares for New Season

A storm is brewing in the esports arena. The Mario Kart team is back together and ready to tear up the track.

After losing three key players, including the team’s leading scorer, Rowan Kriebel, the team finds itself in a tough spot with just one month left in the preseason. After forming the team in spring 2026, the OWU Mario Kart 8 Deluxe team believes it has what it takes to bring home the trophy this fall.

“I’m most excited for a huge team … being someone who plays a lot of two v. two and three v. three, I don’t get to play on a big team as much,” co-captain Daniel Golin said.

Golin, who averaged 99 points his first year, trained throughout the offseason by practicing and playing competitively in his free time, and is prepared to take the next step towards greatness. He is projected to be the team’s No. 1 player and hopes to lead the team to victory this season and win its division.

“At this point [I’m] not nervous [to fill Rowan’s shoes]. When we finished up last year, I was, but now I think I’ve stepped up my game a lot. Me and Rowan played competitively together a lot this summer, and I’m ready to take charge,” Golin said.

With the loss of Kriebel, Chewy Koo and Gavin Stutz, the team will need to come together and fill the void that now exists with their absence. Kriebel played a crucial role in the success of the team’s inaugural season.

“The biggest struggle for the team this year will be remaining focused in competitive play, like knowing when to take certain shortcuts and use items correctly,” team member Gavin Clark said.

Clark is excited for the season and has high hopes for how the team will finish. He believes that with some scrimmages and practice, team members should improve their skills and be ready to perform.

“Being the ‘vibes guy’ on the team, it really is up to me to maintain the fun and energetic culture of the team and make sure the new guys feel welcomed and valued as we begin to face competitors,” Clark said.

Don’t be fooled by his presence because he will laugh his way past you right at the finish line. 

Staying focused and having fun are the two largest values maintained by the team, and they plan to keep them front of mind as the season progresses.

The season officially kicks off Sept. 27, 2026, and races will be on Sunday evenings. Times will vary from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The team plans to stream their races on the OWU Esports Twitch channel and would love your support.