LAKEWOOD – A year after finishing runner-up in fall of 2023, the Cherokee Trail esports team has captured its first esports state title.

This year’s Cherokee Trail squad - made up of Ethan Loi, Erick Drew, Alexander Galimov, Micah Stevens, Michael Andrews - won said title on Tuesday at Localhost by beating Ponderosa, 2-0, in the League of Legends championship match.

“I’m just so proud of them,” Cherokee Trail head coach Matt Flori said. “We show up every single day after school and practice for an hour minimum. These kids are really committed. They started in August and they’ve been committed ever since. Thanksgiving break, fall break, it doesn’t matter, they’re still playing. To dedicate that much time to it and see it pay off is awesome.”

In the semifinals, Cherokee Trail won 2-0 over 2023 champion Cherry Creek and Ponderosa won 2-0 over Fairview.

“They played well,” Flori said. “There were a couple throws here and there, but that’s part of the on-stage jitters. That’s what makes Localhost and being on stage so cool – it’s not a perfect gameplay, it’s not a normal environment, and that’s what makes it so fun. I tell the kids before they get up there, ‘Take a deep breath. Look past the screens. Your friends are there, your parents are there, your family’s there and they’re all here to support you.’”

In the quarterfinals, Cherokee Trail won 2-0 against Overland, Cherry Creek won 2-1 over Vista Peak, Fairview won 2-1 over 2022 champion Grandview and Ponderosa won 2-0 over Centaurus.

This season was the third with League of Legends as an officially sanctioned esports title.