Student Spotlight - Dimitri Petrimeas

Dimitri Petrimeas, 19, is a second-year student at Marshalltown Community College (MCC) in Marshalltown, Iowa. Originally from Fairfield, Iowa, Petrimeas balances his collegiate esports career with his studies as he prepares to pursue a degree in computer science, with a focus on cybersecurity.

After completing his second year at MCC, Petrimeas is considering transferring to the University of Northern Iowa. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and is currently learning Python as he prepares for his future career.

Petrimeas’ interest in esports began in early 2022, when he was in high school. He received an email about an open hangout hosted by his school’s esports team. Having already played video games semi-competitively, he decided to give esports a try.

Since joining MCC, Petrimeas has contributed to the school’s esports program, which launched in 2022. He primarily competes in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe while also playing Rocket League and Minecraft casually. In 6v6 competition, he takes on a leadership role, directing plays and serving as the team’s leading scorer. “My role is to front-run and lead the pack,” Petrimeas said.

One of Petrimeas’ biggest accomplishments in esports is winning back-to-back NJCAAE Division I national championships in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 1v1 competition. His most memorable moment came when he won his first Division I national championship in fall 2025.

To improve his performance, Petrimeas dedicates much of his practice time to time trials, where he works on his driving and speed. He also plays against elite competitors to continue developing his skills. He believes the time and effort gamers invest in improving their performance often go unrecognized.

“Most gamers play and study others for hours every day to master their craft,” Petrimeas said.

Being part of a collegiate esports team allows Petrimeas to compete alongside experienced players who share his desire to improve. He appreciates the team environment and the commitment his teammates bring to competition. He also values the opportunities the NJCAAE provides for community college students.

“I think the NJCAAE has provided an opportunity for players in community colleges to play various games in different formats that may not be offered in other leagues. It has been expanding each season, so the competition is only growing,” Petrimeas said.

Petrimeas’ competitive approach differs from how he handles everyday life. “In the game, I am aggressive. In life, calmness and logic win the game,” he said.

His connection to Mario Kart also influences his gaming identity. Petrimeas came up with his gamertag, “crazyflame,” while sitting in his school library and thinking of a name to represent him in the game. His favorite video game character is Yoshi, whom he has primarily played as in Mario Kart over the past few years.

Petrimeas encourages young gamers to focus on consistent practice and dedication as they work toward their goals. “It is all about how much work you put in. There are no shortcuts, unlike in the game,” he said.

Whether he is competing for another championship or pursuing his academic and career goals, Petrimeas continues to build on the dedication and discipline that have shaped his collegiate esports experience.