Player Spotlight - Kodi Casada

At just 19 years old, Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) student Kodi Casada is building a future powered by ambition, discipline, and a drive to grow—both in the classroom and in competition. A Marietta native and Engineering Transfer major, Casada plans to pursue mechanical engineering before eventually moving into aerospace engineering, with goals of continuing his education at Miami University and beyond.

Alongside his academic ambitions, Casada is a dedicated member of WSCO’s Esports team, competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) league. He currently represents WSCO in Mario Kart competitions.

“Kodi brings a positive and driven energy to our team,” said Dayton Green, Esports Head Coach at WSCO. “He’s never missed a practice and is always focused on improving. That kind of commitment helps set the tone for our entire program.”

Casada’s journey into collegiate Esports happened at just the right moment. “I had already been interested in Esports before starting at WSCO and found out the college had a team,” he said. “I wanted to join, and I happened to run into Coach Green the next day and joined right away.”

WSCO’s Esports practices are held in person and focus on building competitive skills, strategy, and teamwork. For Mario Kart, that includes mastering techniques like trick jumps, timing a button press off ramps for speed boosts and launch starts, which give racers an early edge at the beginning of a race. Players also spend time learning maps, refining communication, and improving overall gameplay.

For Casada, being part of the Esports program has provided more than just competition. “I feel more comfortable here at the college,” he shared. “It gives me a scheduled time to relax and focus on something I enjoy instead of having random free time that can turn into stress about school or other things.”

That balance has been key as he manages a demanding engineering course load. Casada says WSCO’s smaller, supportive environment has helped him stay on track while still pursuing his interests. “Coming from a small high school, it’s nice being somewhere that still feels manageable but offers so many more opportunities,” he said.

Outside of team competition, Casada is a lifelong gamer with a wide range of interests. At home, he most often plays on his PlayStation 5 but also uses a Nintendo Switch and even an Xbox 360 to revisit what he calls his “classic” game collection. While Esports competitions use college-provided PCs and Nintendo Switch systems, Casada enjoys everything from Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto Online to 7 Days to Die, The Forest, and Sea of Thieves in his free time. His gamertag, Krono-Frost, reflects both creativity and personality. Inspired by Chronos, the Greek personification of time, the name pairs “frozen time” with a unique spelling to make it his own.

Casada approaches gaming with the same mindset he applies to his studies: steady improvement and personal growth. “I try to focus on being better than I was yesterday,” he said. “It helps me stay motivated and not get stressed omparing myself to other people.” That outlook, he notes, has made a real difference in both esports and academics.

He’s also passionate about challenging stereotypes surrounding gamers. “It really bothers me when people think gamers are unambitious,” he said. “I know so many people, including myself, who don’t fit that label at all.”

Looking ahead, Casada sees himself deep into his aerospace engineering studies within the next five years.

His advice to younger gamers reflects the same consistency he practices daily: “Consistency is the key to getting better at video games and everything else in life.”

Whether he’s solving complex equations, practicing with his teammates, or planning his future in engineering, Casada represents the balance of focus and passion that defines WSCO students. Through esports, he’s not only sharpening his competitive edge but also building confidence, community, and skills that will carry far beyond the game.

To learn more about the Esports program at WSCO, please contact Esports Head Coach Dayton Green at dgreen1@wscc.edu. For over 54 years, Washington State College of Ohio has fueled the community’s future through higher education and workforce training. We work to make a positive impact by providing opportunities for growth. We inspire individual excellence and success by providing dynamic academic programs and pathways for students looking to enrich their lives. For more information about Washington State College of Ohio, visit www.wsco.edu or call 740.374.8716.