LAKEWOOD - Champions again. George Washington High School, winners of the CHSAA Esports State Championship in Super Smash Bros. last year, earned its second-consecutive state title in the game this afternoon at Localhost.

Playoffs started with 64 participants and were narrowed down to the two finalists, No. 7 seed George Washington and No. 1 seed Air Academy. 

The competition was in favor of No. 1 seed Air Academy early on, but the Patriots continued to fight and eventually earned the title in an exciting final match taking home the win with a final score of 3-2. 

“It’s actually mostly different players, and this team is, I think, a little stronger than last year.” said George Washington head coach Michael Goddard. “But, all of these teams have gotten a lot better.”

George Washington team members - Taveon Williams, Lucas Newlove, Gael Emiliano, Trenton Williams, Tristan Maulding, and Diego Pina-Arias - held the trophy high after earning back-to-back championships.

“I think everything is good, it is a perfect room…I feel so, so good,” said Patriots’ player Gael Emiliano with a smile on his face.

Following their upset win over Air Academy, Michael Zen, assistant coach of the Patriots, said “All the players, they come in early for lunch, they stay late, and they work really hard and they’re good at it.”

Air Academy’s team - David Basanez, Creed Anderson, and James Phelps - has lots to be proud of this season. Maintaining an undefeated record en route to their first title game appearance, the Kadets fell just short of capturing their first-ever esports state title.

George Washington High School is now the proud home of two state titles in esports.