📝 Winthrop crowned the new kings of Collegiate Overwatch, win OWC Open and Varsity

Since Winthrop University dove headfirst into the Overwatch Collegiate space with their revamped roster in the Spring of 2024, the question has been, “When will this team win the title?”

But over the past two years, it has been a story of just falling short of the juggernaut: Illinois State University.

After it was announced that the ISU roster would not compete during the Spring 2026 semester, it appeared that it was finally going to be the Eagles’ year. But like in past seasons, Winthrop dropped off the top spot early in the semester to Northwood University. It appeared that Winthrop could fall just short once again, this time in the Overwatch Collegiate Championships - Open bracket. 

But this spring, it was finally Winthrop’s time to shine.

Winthrop crowned the new kings of Collegiate Overwatch, win OWC Open and Varsity

Overwatch Collegiate Championships - Open Grand Final:

• Winthrop University 4-2 Northwood University

Recap:

In the first of two grand finals for Championship Sunday, Winthrop had a rematch against Northwood in the OWCC Open. Northwood won the previous meeting 2-1 during the OWCC Open Swiss stage

And even with Haven “Haven” Healy subbing in on hitscan for Rocco “Kronik” Iacobacci this season due to eligibility issues, Northwood earned the upper bracket advantage and got first map pick and ban. And that worked out in their favor in a clean 2-0 win on Lijiang Tower to start off the series.

Winthrop then sent the series to Suravasa, where everything started to shift to the Eagles’ favor.

Northwood struggled at first to counter the Jetpack Cat/Bastion composition that has been rising in OWCS China and Korea over the past few weeks, which led to a map 2 win.

But arguably, the MVP for Winthrop throughout the series was Benjamin “Ultraviolet” David’s Ana.

From bio nades to set up engagements to nano boosts onto Boston “Infekted” Fine’s Hazard, Ultraviolet’s impact was felt throughout the entire series.

After a valiant defense, Northwood was able to squeak the game to map six through a 2-1 win on Rialto. But Winthrop’s flexibility and experience on the Cat/Bastion comp was too much for the Timberwolves to handle, leading to Winthrop’s first major title in program history.

Overwatch Collegiate Championships - Varsity Grand Final:

• Winthrop University 4-1 St. Clair College

Recap:

The day was not yet done for Winthrop, as they had the OWCC Varsity Grand Final shortly after the Open final concluded.

Expectations going into this series were more favored towards Winthrop, as they defeated St. Clair during the OWCC Varsity regular season. St. Clair barely made the grand final after fending off a reverse-sweep attempt from Cumberland University during the semifinals.

It was domination by Winthrop throughout most of the series, not giving the Saints a map objective point until Map 4 in Havana.

It was a valiant effort from St. Clair during the roster’s final match before four players graduate this spring. Tank Alexander “Tred” Madgwick-Smith and flex Alex “Alex” George are slated to leave the program this summer as well and will be playing under a different program for the 2026-27 school year.

OWC Varsity Awards:

Coach of the Year:

• Eric “Wheats” Perez (Winthrop University)

Player of the Year:

• Alexander “Tred” Madgwick-Smith (St. Clair College)

First Team All-NACE:

• Tank: Alexander “Tred” Madgwick-Smith (St. Clair College)
• DPS: Xavier “Zeruhh” Zambrano (Winthrop University)
• DPS: Grey “Nody” Etue (Cumberland University)
• Support: Dhruv “Rajeem” Pandrangi (Bellevue University)
• Support: Oliver “Admiral” Vahar (Illinois State University)

Second Team All-NACE:

• Tank: Boston “Infekted” Fine (Winthrop University)
• DPS: Denis “Lethal” Tari (Illinois State University)
• DPS: Matthew “Lobby” Stevens (North Carolina State University)
• Support: Sheldon “Redex” Stewart (St. Clair College)
• Support: Benjamin “Ultraviolet” David (Winthrop University)

Recap:

Not many spectators were shocked to see that Wheats won coach of the year, after leading Winthrop to an undefeated campaign in the OWCC Varsity regular season and playoffs.

On the other hand, the player of the year was seen initially as a debate between the Winthrop roster and a few outliers, including Tred. In the end, the Brit won the award for his leadership and talent, which earned him a spot on the First Team All-NACE roster.

For clarification, there was a max of one player per school for the first time, and then two for the second team. Players from Illinois State University were also eligible because they competed in OWCH Varsity in the fall semester.

Joining Tred were Zeruhh, Nody, Rajeem and Admiral. Zeruhh was crowned the OWCC Varsity Grand Finals MVP for his performance against St. Clair. Nody earned his spot on the roster through his flexibility and clutch moments. Rounding out the roster was Rajeem through their playmaking ability on main support.

Final note:

It was a historic year for Overwatch Collegiate. Record-breaking viewership, Blizzard partnering with an established collegiate tournament organizer, and a return to LAN for the collegiate championships.

And now, the floor is set for the next page in this story to begin.

But first, it will be a summer transfer window that is set to be one of the wildest sagas we have seen yet.