Matador Esports Team qualifies for NJCAAE Playoffs
April 19, 2022Yuma, AZ (April 19, 2022) – After earning wins across the board during the regular season, the Matador Esports Team has qualified to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) Playoffs this week.
The team’s three Smash Bros. players – Josh Montejano, Erick Valdez, and Nicholas Files – are moving on to the next level of the competition. This is the first time Matador Esports has officially competed in the NJCAAE league.
Montejano and Valdez had an impressive season only losing one match each, and Files followed up with only two losses.
“We have all been working hard to get to this point and I’m thrilled to be able to participate and represent Matador Esports,” said Montejano.
Stop by to show support for the athletes as they compete in the playoffs at 4 p.m. on April 19 – 22, 26, and 29, in the Esports Arena located in Room BA 101 in the Business Administration Building at the AWC Yuma Campus, 2020 S. Ave. 8E. A campus map can be found here.
AWC began its Esports program in the spring of 2020. When the NJCAA announced the creation of the league in the fall of 2019, the college had an immediate student interest to form competitive teams. Esports consists of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between individual players or teams.
“It has been an amazing semester watching these student athletes perform,” said AWC Head Esports Coach Matthew Ratcliff. “They have put in the time and work to do their best in both their academic and gaming endeavors. I am honored to have been able to go on this journey with them and look forward to the next season this fall.”
Contact:
Matthew Ratcliff
Head Esports Coach
Arizona Western College
Matthew.Ratcliff@azwestern.edu
(928) 580-8035