The Guard Reunites with VALORANT Roster Core, Adds New Coach and Duelist
The Guard has officially decided to keep its breakout NA VALORANT roster from last year and is bringing in a new duelist and coach from NRG Esports. Ian “tex” Botsch will join the main roster as the primary duelist, while Josh “JoshRT” Lee will take on the head coaching role, as announced by The Guard. Both tex and JoshRT became free agents when NRG made room for OpTic’s core players and head coach during the off-season.
Introducing Coach @JoshRTz and Ian “tex” Botsch to The Guard
It’s finally time to run it back. No stopping until we reach Ascension.
Please welcome Coach @JoshRTz and our newest addition @texerino as they join @valynfps, @trentFPS, @JonahP_, and @neT_valorant!
#StandGuard pic.twitter.com/MQaHgKgDUW— The Guard (@TheGuard) January 9, 2023
tex and JoshRT will fill the positions left vacant by former duelist Ha “Sayaplayer” Jung-woo and head coach Matthew “mCe” Elmore. Sayaplayer joined T1 after an impressive year, teaming up with other former OWL greats, while mCe took the Cloud9 job to reunite with familiar faces.
Although The Guard didn’t secure a partnership in the VCT Americas league, they retained their core players trent, valyn, JonahP, and neT. This group turned heads during the first stage of the VCT NA Challengers last year, progressing from open qualifiers to a first-place finish and earning a spot at Masters Reykjavík.
Despite narrowly missing out on a spot in VALORANT Champions 2022, The Guard made all their players restricted free agents, expressing their commitment to continue competing in VALORANT.
The Guard has received a direct invitation from Knights Arena to compete in the main event of the 2023 NA VALORANT Challengers League, alongside TSM, G2 Esports, M80, Shopify Rebellion, and FaZe Clan. Over two splits, a mid-season invitational, and playoffs, The Guard will strive to reach VCT Americas through Ascension.
The Guard, VALORANT, NA roster, duelist, coach, NRG Esports, partnership, VCT Americas, Ascension, VALORANT Champions 2022