GigaZone Gaming Championship winners

The first stadium style eSporting event in the region, the GigaZone Gaming Championship, was held Nov. 12 at the Sanford Center George W. Neilson Convention Center.

ProFreakz from Deer River won the first GigaZone Gaming Championship and $2,500 defeating Team Synergy from Bemidji, which won $1,250 for second place. The Iron Range Legends took third place and $750 with their win over W8 This Isn't DOTA. A total of 26 of northern Minnesota's best League of Legends teams competed online with the top eight teams making it to the Championship rounds in the GigaZone Championship Arena.

In addition to the League of Legends Tournament, there was a lot of gaming open to all. Both of the Magic the Gathering Booster Tournaments were full and many participated in tournaments of Street Fighter 5, Mario Kart 8, Donkey Kong and Pac Man, officials said in a release. A grand prize of an Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset, was won by Ben Francisco of Laporte.

"There is a large gaming community in our area and GigaZone Gaming Championship not only showcased some of the region's best League of Legends teams but it gave everyone a chance to get in on the action! It was great to see so many people of all ages gaming and having so much fun." said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO and general manager, in the release.

1/3: Pictured is the Team Synergy, from Bemidji, which took second place. Team members include Brad Kovacovich, Ben Fransisco, Matthan Althiser, Kyle Labernik and Taylor Otness. (Submitted photo)

2/3: Pictured is the Iron Range Legends team, from the Iron Range, which took third place. Team members include Prescott Weis, Sean Mull, Ben Monson, Brad Monson and Kyle Maki. (Submitted photo)

3/3: Pictured is Ben Francisco, of Laporte, winner of the Occulus Rift. (Submitted photo)