Spring 2026 Post-Season Recap
MIDLAND, MICH. – Following one of the most successful postseason runs in program history, the Northwood University Esports program officially concluded its spring championship season after capturing 10 national championships across multiple collegiate esports leagues and events.
From late March through May, Northwood teams competed in postseason brackets across the country and online, earning podium finishes in nearly every title the program entered. Most recently, the Timberwolves traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) National Championships and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Founders Invitational. During the weekend, the varsity Valorant and Overwatch teams each captured two championship trophies, while Rocket League added another national title to the program’s historic season.
Before San Antonio, seven Northwood teams traveled to Waco, Texas, from May 1-3 to compete at the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) and PlayVS College League (PCL) Spring National Championships. Six of the seven programs finished on the podium, highlighted by CECC championships from Valorant, Overwatch, and Rocket League, runner-up finishes from Marvel Rivals and Counter-Strike 2 in the PCL, and a third-place CECC finish for Smash Bros Ultimate.
Northwood’s postseason success also included a runner-up finish at the Overwatch Collegiate Championship in Orlando, Florida, as well as a top-12 placement at the Collegiate Fighting Game Community (CFGC) 2XKO playoffs hosted at Ferris State University.
Despite many competitions taking place simultaneously due to the online nature of collegiate esports, the Timberwolves continued to excel across every title. Valorant and Overwatch each secured PlayVS College League Spring National Championships online, while Rocket League earned a runner-up finish, and Smash Bros Ultimate finished among the top four teams nationally.
Teams & Results
Varsity Valorant
- NECC Division 1 Spring National Champions
- PlayVS College League Spring Champions
- Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) Champions
- ECAC Founders Invitational Champions
- College Valorant 4th Place
Varsity Overwatch
- NECC Division 1 Spring National Champions
- PlayVS College League Spring Champions
- Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) Champions
- ECAC Founders Invitational Champions
- Overwatch Collegiate Championship Open Runners-Up
Varsity Rocket League
- NECC Division 1 Spring National Champions
- Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) Champions
- PlayVS College League Spring Runners-Up
- College Rocket League Spring Top 6
Varsity Smash Bros Ultimate
- NECC Division 1 Spring Runners-Up
- Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) 3rd Place
- PlayVS College League Spring Top 4
Varsity League of Legends
- NECC Division 1 Spring 3rd Place
- PlayVS College League Spring 5th Place
- College League of Legends 7th Place
Varsity Deadlock
- College Deadlock Spring 2nd Place
Varsity Marvel Rivals
- PlayVS College League Spring Runners-Up
Varsity Counter-Strike 2
- PlayVS College League Spring Runners-Up
Varsity Fighting Games
- Collegiate FGC 2XKO – Evan “Natsu” Shaff & James “Faustus” Frye – Top 12
While official competition resumes in the fall semester, Northwood’s Smash Bros roster will continue playing this summer at Patchwork in Raleigh, North Carolina, from June 19-21.
The Timberwolves close the spring season having captured 10 national championships and numerous podium finishes, further cementing Northwood’s reputation as one of the premier collegiate esports programs in the nation.