ANGELINA PEREZ
The Esports team hosted and participated in the Middlesex County Invitational Overwatch 2 Tournament on February 10. Colonia, Plainfield, and Old Bridge each entered two teams in the tournament. The Knights took first place, beating Plainfield High School in the Finals, and received a plaque for winning.
The team splits into groups of five to play Overwatch, an objective-based game where players have certain roles on a team. During the game, a player needs to achieve each objective before the opposing team does. “Teamwork is the most important thing in the tournament,” commented junior Nathan Chumash. “If you watch the ‘weaker’ teams in the state tournament you can see them beating the ‘stronger’ ones because they have better synergy.”
During each hour-long, best of three, round of the tournament, the team that scored more objective points within the time limit moved on. “Playing in the tournament is really thrilling and exhilarating,” expressed Mohammad Siddiqui. “I constantly have to think of ideas to help us win the game.”
The team showed its dominance against the opposing schools in the first round, defeating Colonia 2-1. The team won another two rounds leading them to the championship match against Plainfield, where they won again. “[It] feels pretty good to represent OB and have fun along with my teammates, knowing we won against multiple high schools,” expressed senior Xavier Medalle.
The tournament raised money for the team and offered an opportunity to meet other teams from around the county in person. In the future, this may apply to other games that the team plays, such as Street Fighter 6 and Super Smash Bros Ultimate. “Normally we compete from our lab online, but this time we were face to face in person with our opponents live at OBHS,” stated coach Robert Weiss.
The team competed face to face with their opponents for the first time, providing a new and different experience for everyone. “It was nice to be able to meet other players in person rather than online,” expressed senior Matteo Szeto.
The team hopes to bring attention to Esports throughout the Old Bridge community and beyond. “We are helping promote Esports throughout the county and state by hosting Esport events for Middlesex County,” stated Weiss.
Posted on 3/11/24
Photos by Angelina Perez
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