Grandview Claims Second Esports Title, First in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

LAKEWOOD – Though it’s early in the activity’s existence, Grandview esports may soon need its own trophy case at the school if it continues winning at its current pace.

On Thursday at Localhost, Grandview’s Super Smash Wolves-Black won 6-3 over Mountain Vista’s Vista Smash Varsity in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate championship match. It was the program’s first-ever Super Smash Bros. title and its second esports title after winning League of Legends in the fall of 2022 – esports’ first official season as a Colorado High School Activities Association activity.

After finishing runner-up in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate last spring, Grandview head coach Carlos Nevares said he was thrilled to see his players leave with the first-place trophy and not have to watch them settle for second yet again.

“This means everything, everything,” Nevares said. “I feel like this time, it was even harder so it’s even more satisfying. Oh my gosh, Rocky Mountain had us on the ropes 0-2 and we battled back 3-0. Vista, what a great team. I’m emotionally exhausted but I’m so happy for my kids because they kind of redeemed themselves from last year.

“I just want the best for them and I just think that they’re excellent kids.”

This year’s Grandview state team included Jonathan Bannoura, Tim Weber and RJ Keller. Bannoura, the team’s top player, had the crowd chanting throughout the finals match for his stellar play with his chosen player – Wario – and flawlessly executing his chainable signature move.

“Everyone in here was chanting, ‘Wa, Wa, Wa, Wa,’ because that’s the sound Wario makes during his signature move, which you use to hit someone from above and he throws his hands up,” Nevares said. “He’s like the people’s champ because everybody in here was chanting because he’s a crowd favorite. All these schools know him or have heard of him.”

To reach the finals, Mountain Vista – Avery Wilson, Penn Hoang and Briston Steward – won 6-0 over Pine Creek’s PCHS_01_Smash – Aydin Escamilla, Ryan Villa and Kai Liebert – in the semifinals. In the opposite semifinal, Grandview won 6-2 over Fossil Ridge Varsity Smash Bros – Aidan Lewis, Braden Modafferi and Creed Anderson.

The state playoffs began with 64 teams. The final 16 teams that advanced played at Localhost on Thursday.

Last spring, Rocky Mountain won both titles.