X13 lose Lemonz; add Wilky

X13 coach Kieran "KayJay" Playfair has announced, via Twitter, that Brennan "Lemonz" Lentz has stepped down from the roster due to a medical emergency. This sees former Northern Forces player Reece "Wilky" Wilkerson brought on to fill the gap.

Lemonz had been a part of X13 for approximately seven months when the organization signed the current core back in September. Whilst on X13's books, Lemonz averaged a 0.98 rating across 46 maps while notably helping the squad achieve a second-place finish in ESEA Advanced Season 39. This placement allowed the team to secure participation in ESEA Premier Season 39 Relegation where, thanks to ESL Challenger League's team list returning to a sixteen-team circuit, X13 were able to be promoted after a fourth-place showing.

Before the 17-year-old departed the roster, X13 was able to post a 1-2 record in Group B of ESL Challenger League Season 40 on the back of a 2-1 victory versus Eros and 0-2 defeats at the hands of Party Astronauts and Team oNe. Outside of league play, X13 failed to make deep runs in their numerous ESEA Cash Cup appearances whilst also being sent packing 0-2 in the first Mythic Cup of 2022 after putting up limited resistance in Group B, albeit with KayJay in place of Otto "garfield" Netteberg.

Wilky's addition brings a fair amount of experience to the squad, with the 21-year-old having played in ESL Challenger/ESEA Premier across four previous seasons. Most recently, Wilky was on Northern Forces' ranks during their lackluster campaign in ESEA Premier Season 39 which ultimately saw the side disband after being relegated to ESEA Advanced. But, despite this, the rifler had been Northern Forces' most valuable player, posting a 1.07 rating across 48 maps during his three month stint with the roster.

After Northern Forces imploded, Wilky found himself temporarily standing in for Strife where he played two events for the squad. He first linked up with the team during Mythic Winter Cup 2 where the side was quickly sent home in 5th-6th place after losses to Party Astronauts and ATK. The lineup then drastically improved on this by securing bronze in the fifth ESEA Winter Cash Cup a week later, just missing out on a grand final showing after a 2-1 defeat to Party Astronauts.

With the change in players, X13 now have:

• Matthew "scar" Bruni

• Max "Makzwell" Sparrey

• Alec "halo" Sacry

• Otto "garfield" Netteberg

• Reece "Wilky" Wilkerson

• Kieran "KayJay" Playfair (Coach)

X13 will need to settle Wilky in fairly quickly as their next ESL Challenger League matchup sees them face off against Gaimin Gladiators on March 14th at 08:00PM.