OCU Esports took home two Oklahoma Association of Collegiate Esports (OACE) state championship titles in Overwatch 2 and Rocket League on Nov. 18 to wrap up a successful fall season.
This included a 4-3 win over the University of Tulsa for Overwatch 2 -- a reverse sweep, as TU was up 3-0 before OCU made a comeback. OCU also earned a 3-1 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State University for Rocket League. The VALORANT team lost in the championship game against Northeastern Oklahoma 0-3 but finished second overall in the state this semester.
"We had a great group of around 30 students travel for the occasion, who all kept a high energy in SWOSU's arena for over seven hours of games from start to finish," said coach Connor Knudsen. "I couldn't be prouder of our program's showing at this year's Oklahoma Association championship. To be in the finals for all three games OACE hosts competition for (Overwatch 2, VALORANT, and Rocket League) and to win in two series shows the quality we possess across the board and the amazing progress the program has made."
Knudsen pointed to the teams' momentum heading into the spring semester after a season full of inaugural marks.
"This is a first for us in a year of many other firsts: Our first year competing in campus Homecoming, our first year with a full team of corporate and nonprofit sponsors, our first year with a fully operational Student Leadership Team, and our first year competing in six different games. We will continue to work and seize the momentum from these championships as we head into the spring!"
Earlier in the month, three OCU Esports teams qualified for the playoffs in the National Esports Collegiate Championship, two of which won their quarterfinal matches.
