Chris Lasoya

Chris LaSoya, also known as Chris Lasoya and nicknamed Pony Boy, is an American former professional paintball player. He is best known for his association with Avalanche, Miami Effect and Infamous, competing across the transition from traditional woodland tournaments to modern airball and X-Ball competition.[1][2]

LaSoya was recognised for his aggressive playing style, particularly his ability to advance rapidly through the centre of the field and eliminate multiple opponents. He was among the most recognisable professional players during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[1]

He was included in the inaugural class of the Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons in 2023.[3]

Playing career

Early career and Avalanche

LaSoya began competing professionally during the era of traditional woodland and ten-player tournament paintball.

His early playing career included Easy Company before he became a prominent member of Avalanche, one of the leading professional teams of the late 1990s.[4]

Contemporary tournament records confirm his membership of Avalanche by 1999, when he competed at the Skyball tournament in Toronto, Canada.[5]

During this period, Avalanche fielded players including Rocky Cagnoni, Steve Rabackoff, Ed Poorman, Todd Martinez and Travis Lemanski.

LaSoya became particularly associated with the team's aggressive approach to tournament competition.

At the 2000 Campaign Cup in England, Avalanche won the professional division of the Millennium Series event.

Contemporary reporting specifically highlighted LaSoya's attacking movements through the centre of the field as an important part of the team's success. The victory was Avalanche's fifth consecutive tournament win.[6]

LaSoya remained with Avalanche during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, appearing on the team's official National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) professional rosters.[7][8]

Miami Effect

In 2003, LaSoya joined Miami Effect, a professional franchise competing in the newly established National Xball League (NXL).

The team included several former Avalanche players, among them Travis Lemanski, Jon Richardson, Brian Fow and Rusty Glaze.

LaSoya appeared on Miami Effect's roster for the inaugural NXL competition at the 2003 Mardi Gras Open in New Orleans, wearing jersey number 69.[9]

He subsequently served as the team's captain during the 2004 season.

Formation of Infamous

During the 2004 NXL season, LaSoya and other Miami Effect players left the franchise and established a new team under the name Infamous.

The move followed disagreements over participation restrictions imposed by the NXL, which prevented registered players from competing in certain rival professional leagues.[10]

Infamous entered the NPPL Super 7 series and immediately achieved success.

At the 2004 Tampa event, held near Raymond James Stadium in Florida, Infamous defeated San Diego Dynasty in the professional final to win its first NPPL tournament.

The team followed this victory with another professional championship at the 2004 Denver Open, defeating Sacramento XSV in the final.[11][12]

LaSoya continued competing with Infamous during the following seasons.

At the 2005 Paintball World Cup, Infamous faced his former team Avalanche in an Open Class X-Ball match. The game ended 6–6 in regulation before Infamous won in sudden-death overtime.

Contemporary reporting recorded spectators chanting LaSoya's nickname, "Pony Boy", following the victory.[13]

Later competition

LaSoya continued participating in professional paintball after his principal years with Avalanche and Infamous.

In 2007, he appeared with Montreal Image in the NPPL Super 7 series and was featured in an episode of the television programme Xtreme Paintball: Beyond the Paint.[14]

By 2009, he was associated with San Diego Aftermath, appearing on a published team roster for that season.[15]

He was subsequently linked with the Swedish professional team Joy Division during the 2010 Millennium Series season.[16]

LaSoya later participated in classic-format paintball events, including ten-player competition.

In July 2024, he appeared on the Play The Game podcast to discuss his professional career, participation in classic events and a renewed sponsorship arrangement with JT USA.[17]

Playing style and recognition

LaSoya was known for his aggressive approach to tournament paintball, frequently making rapid offensive movements to eliminate opposing players.

His performances helped establish his reputation during the transition from woodland competition to hyperball, airball and X-Ball formats.

A notable example occurred at the 2001 NPPL Chicago Open, where LaSoya was the last surviving Avalanche player during a match against Dynasty.

After Dynasty players mistakenly believed he had been eliminated, LaSoya advanced from his bunker and eliminated three opponents before being shot himself. The move was documented in contemporary WARPIG tournament coverage.[18]

LaSoya was also recognised for his distinctive appearance and personality, particularly his long ponytail and energetic celebrations.

In 2021, Iconic Paintball included him in its retrospective assessment of notable professional paintball players.[1]

In 2023, he was recognised as a member of the inaugural Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons class. The official class archive identifies his nickname as "The Pony Boy" and highlights his achievements with Avalanche and Infamous.[3]

Equipment endorsements

LaSoya's professional career included equipment sponsorships and signature paintball markers.

During his Avalanche years, he was associated with WDP and its Angel electronic markers. WARPIG documented his signature Element Angel markers at the 2001 Millennium Series Joy Masters tournament.[19]

He subsequently became associated with Bob Long Technologies and the LaSoya Intimidator, a signature version of the Bob Long Intimidator developed during his Miami Effect period.[20]

Selected tournament achievements

Year	Tournament	Division	Team	Result
2000	Campaign Cup	Professional	Avalanche	1st
2004	NPPL Tampa Open	Professional 7-man	Infamous	1st
2004	NPPL Denver Open	Professional 7-man	Infamous	1st

The table lists selected documented tournament victories rather than a complete competitive record.

References

External links