The Robert Morris University Overwatch White team has completed one of the most treacherous runs in program history in the NECC Division 7 Nationals Tournament, defeating #15 Concordia St. Paul 4-2 to bring home the program's fourth-ever national championship, and the second for the Overwatch title.
RMU White entered the national championship backed by the lineup of Ryan Szekely on the tank role, who applied countless pressure to Concordia St. Paul, Kaitlyn Bloomer and Lance Axton on the support role who provided utility and healing in situations that seemed unwinnable, along with Devin McArdle-Larrow and Player of the Match Carter Bossong on the damage role. Carter Bossong has built his legacy at RMU Esports by specializing in only two of the 24 available damage heroes – Sojourn and Cassidy. Known for his sharp-shooting and clutch moments, he consistently provided the rest of the team with a man advantage when they needed it most.
To get to this point, #16 RMU White took down #1 Marywood University Gold, #9 Buena Vista College White, and #4 Concordia Nebraska Navy, all while only losing two rounds in the process. Concordia St. Paul didn't have the easiest path either, taking down #2 Lesley College Green, #7 John Brown University Gold, and #3 MVNU Blue in a 5-round thriller that set up a national championship game between the #16 and #15 seeds.
After RMU White's 3-1 victory over Concordia Nebraska, Devin McArdle said, "You're telling me I have to play another week of this game?!", as the national championship is held during Finals Week.
Throughout the game, RMU White was consistently at a disadvantage, as being the #16 seed in esports tournaments does come with never being able to select the first round's map. However, since RMU White won rounds 1, 2, and 3 to go up by a score of 3-0, they stole three straight picks where Concordia St. Paul thought they had the advantage. However, that feeling disappeared quickly whenever Concordia St. Paul chose and won rounds 4 and 5, suggesting a potential reverse sweep. Now feeling a little pressure, RMU White chose round 6's New Junk City, which they had won in all three games prior leading up to the championship, and this time would prove no different. RMU White got over the finish line after a two and a half hour affair, which started at 8:00 PM.
RMU White will graduate Ryan Szekely, Devin McArdle-Larrow, and Carter Bossong, leaving just Kaitlyn Bloomer (now Junior) and Lance Axton (now Graduate Student) with the legacy. This also marks the first time RMU Esports players have won multiple national championships, with Carter Bossong and Lance Axton becoming 2-time national champions after winning it back in 2024.
Congratulations to not only the Overwatch White Team but the entire Esports department for such an impressive victory and season!
