NMC Esports Team News

November 1, 2023

The 2023 - 2024 season has been the busiest yet for NMC Esports! We have grown to 34 players representing 8 game titles, competing in two leagues: NJCAA-E and NACE. Some of our players have wrapped up their regular season play in the NJCAA-E Premier League and are awaiting their first playoff matches. Aden Travis has gone undefeated in Super Smash Bros Ultimate competition and will be a top seed in the playoffs. Jacob Petroelje isn't far behind with only one loss and will also be one of the top seeds in the playoffs. Damon Livingston (Madden '24) finished undefeated and will be the top seed in the playoff bracket. Hearthstone, new to NMC Esports this year, also competed in the Premier League and will have two representatives in the playoffs. We wish Hunter Marinelli and Jacob Schroeder the best of luck next week in round one of the postseason. 

In the NACE league, only two weeks remain in the regular season. The Valorant squad boasts a 4-1 record and is set to clash with the undefeated 5-0 Butler team, vying for the division's top spot. In a similar vein, the Smash Crews team, with a 4-1 record, will compete against Grand Valley State University for the division lead. Overwatch 2 began the season with a couple of setbacks but has since secured three consecutive victories. Both the Rainbow 6: Siege and Rocket League teams have faced challenges in securing more winds, yet they keep enhancing their synergy. This year, Rocket League has welcomed an entirely fresh roster, while Rainbox 6 marks its debut in the NMC Esports competitive scene. 

APRIL 11, 2023

The 2023 NJCAA-E Spring regular season has wrapped up and playoffs begin this week. Two of our individual players and one team have qualified for the post-season. Damon Livingston (Madden '23) finished undefeated and received a first-round bye. His first game will be on Friday, April 14th at 6:00 pm in the quarterfinals. Aden Travis (SSBU) also finished undefeated and received a first-round bye with his first match will be at 7:00 pm on April 13th. Finally, the Valorant team finished 5–2 and faces off against the Calhoun Community College Warhawks on Friday, April 14th at 7:30 pm. The match will be streamed on our Twitch channel.  

March 6, 2023

NMC’s esports teams are off to a solid start to the spring 2023 NJCAA-E campaign. The season began on February 13th and will continue through the end of March. NMC Varsity teams compete at either the Invitational (highest in league) division or Open division against schools nationwide. Super Smash Bros Ultimate player, Jacob Petroelje (@Petro), the only player competing at the Invitational level is currently 2–1 after three weeks of play and tied for second place. Dan Hirt (@WishingDanny) is 2–1 in his Open division group and Aden Travis (@ATWAW) is 3–0 in his group. Madden 2023 player, Damon Livingston (@TrojenLegend44) who is coming off a strong playoff showing in the fall is undefeated through week 3.

Rocket League, Valorant, and Overwatch 2 are 1–2 so far but have shown improvement each match. The Rocket League team has two return players, Matt Harrand (@KommanderKermit) and Noah Saunders (@Saundo), from our fall campaign and added one player from Spring 2022, Jalen Richardson (@jamm_er) who took the fall off from esports to complete his required time on a ship for the Great Lake Maritime Academy. The chemistry of the team is improving and this was evident from their Game 4 overtime win against Iowa Western on February 27th during the best-of-5 series.

The Overwatch 2 team returned most of its starters, Raymond Chabitch (@Nukl3arRay), Johnny Force (@MFGRIME), McKenzie Johnson (@Maorcows), Phoenix Knipe (@Pho3n1xAsh), and Gabriel Krumlauf (@AerialAce176), from the fall 2022 campaign but the substitutes had to step away from playing. Damon Livingston is doing double duty in NMC Varsity esports and has joined the team as their sub. Lastly, Valorant is the newest NMC Varsity esports team and they are improving each week. Most of the players were on the club team last fall and grabbed the opportunity to move up to varsity when tryouts were announced in early January. A big hearty welcome to Jeremy Black (@Kazan), Aaron Booth (@Kitkack), Zach Conklin (@Prophysigame1), Alex Hornick (@letsloseagame), Demi Mead (@aro), Zach Rothstein (@OnyXzero), and Hayden Schoenee (@CheeZyPB)!

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Remember to pick up some NMC Esports gear at the NMC Bookstore or tune into one of our live streams of Rocket League, Valorant, or Overwatch 2 on our Twitch channel.