Nazar “H0NeST” Stefinko and Iowa Stormboar advanced to Stage 2 of Austin LAN relatively unscathed with four wins and one tie in their Stage 1 round-robin. After their final match, Dust2.us’ Jeffrey “Mnmzzz” Moore talked with H0NeST about their performance at the event so far, his recent appearance on the HLTV Prospects list, and the players who inspired him the most.
Find the video interview below with a full transcription underneath. All questions and answers have been slightly edited for length and clarity.
Congrats on making Stage 2; how do you feel like you did in Stage 1?
It was hard because we’re just a new team, and we have some struggles on new maps. We’re just working on them, working on default. We try to not us all rounds which we prepared for LAN, we just tried to see how people are playing and get more comfortable for Stage 2.
Iowa Stormboar just announced their full five-man roster recently; how did this team come together? Was the goal to reassemble the old Immigrants peek core?
It was not the goal. We were just looking for some different roles. In NA, it’s very hard to find a good AWPer. We just think about nico1ajus cause he’s a very good AWPer from Immigrants peek. Of course, mds was playing in Outfit 49 with us, and he’s very good here.
So we decided to just pick up mds and pick up nico1ajus.
You recently made the HLTV Prospects list at #33. You’re the highest-rated prospect in NA this year. Were you surprised to be listed?
I was surprised because I was watching every month because I love to check the news. I didn’t expect to be so high, but it’s because I have very good stats, and it’s based on stats. Of course, I can be better, so I need to just work on myself and get higher.
Have you received any positive attention from other players or organizations for this achievement of making the prospects list?
To be honest, no. I just saw some support, but orgs didn’t ask me. I need to keep working and getting better.
What made you come to North America, especially the Chicago area, from Ukraine?
It’s because of the war, and my parents had the opportunity to come to the US. We just decided to move as a family and live a simple life. I just played CS, and I keep playing because I love this game. It’s my dream.
Was becoming a pro always a goal for you growing up?
I was playing a lot in Ukraine. I started playing like five or six years ago. First, I was just playing with my friends, then I started playing more on FACEIT, and just getting better and better.
I could go from myself to going pro and just try it because I like this game.
Is there one player you really look up to? Many Ukrainians look up to s1mple. Are there others you model your game after?
When I started playing CS, I was a big fan of device. I was playing with the AWP, but now I move to the rifle, so I love b1t; he’s my favorite player from Ukraine. He’s very good, and we have similar playstyles. Also, he tries to headshot everyone like me.
What can you tell us about the travel issues you’ve faced in America, and has it been a big challenge for you?
First, it’s my parents. They want to take care of me because I’m young. Also, it’s hard to go to good LANs with organizations because it’s hard to sponsor tournaments; it’s expensive. It’s like if there were more tournaments on our side of the country, I would go more. It’s hard to move to different sides.
You currently live in Chicagoland. It seems like a lot of Ukrainians choose this region; why do you think that is?
Here are a lot of Ukrainians from a long time ago. They moved to Chicago because there was a lot of work and a better life. Here, there are more Polish and Ukrainian speakers who moved to a Ukrainian environment because it’s easier to work and be around your own environment.
If things change geopolitically, would you want to become a pro in Europe, or do you think you’d want to stay in NA at this point?
It just depends on my future and on visas. If I could fix this problem and just fly to Europe, I could move to the EU. It also depends on my parents because my parents don’t want me to be in the EU while they’re in NA. I would see how it goes with my teams and if an org would bring me.
On this roster, you’re now working mds who was previously on Chicken Coop. What are your early impressions of him?
We played together in Outfit 49, so I know him. He’s a very good leader, and he teaches me a lot. He is the reason I became who I am because he taught me how to play and improved me a lot.
Iowa Stormboar will be back to play Stage 2 of Austin LAN tomorrow.