Saints Rocket League Qualify for Collegiate World Championships
Following a third-place finish in the Collegiate Rocket League (CRL) Eastern Conference playoffs, the Saints Rocket League squad has punched their ticket to the first-ever Collegiate World Championships.
With an 11-4 regular season record, the Saints took to the pitch on Monday night as the 4th seed in the eight-team playoff bracket. After dispatching the 5th seed University of Akron, 4-1, to advance to the semifinals. There, the Saints were defeated by eventual Conference Champion and 1st seed Northwood University. In the third-place match, the Saints went on to avenge a regular season loss to the 2nd seed University of Central Florida and claim the third-place prize to punch their ticket to the World Championships with a decisive 4-1 victory. With the third-place finish, St. Clair’s Rocket League team has solidified themselves as the top team in Canada.
”This is what happens when talent, hard work and opportunity come together and we’re just getting started,” said Rocket League Head Coach Mike LePine.“ St. Clair College has quickly gained a reputation of being one of best esports programs in North America. Our players are all very passionate and driven to succeed in the classroom with an average GPA of 3.8 and now they’ve achieved the highest level of competition in collegiate Rocket League. Coach Ajay and I are excited to see their success during their time in our community and beyond.”
The first-ever CRL World Championship will take place in Dallas, Texas as part of Dreamhack Dallas from June 3-5, 2022. 16 total teams will take part with 10 teams representing North America, and six qualifying from Europe. More information on the CRL World Championships can be found here.
Other schools that have qualified for the Collegiate World Championships include Northwood University, Stockton University, Columbia College, University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Nevada.
Ahead of Worlds, the Saints Rocket League squad will take part in the six-team CRL Spring National Championship from March 30-31. The event will feature the top three teams from each Conference in a double-elimination tournament to crown the top collegiate team in North America. The games will be streamed live on both the Rocket League and College Carball Association channels.
Saints Rocket League
Ben “Spoods” Talbot, Windsor, ON — Computer Systems Technology - Networking
Josh “Jay” Podruzny, Grande Prairie, AB — Computer Systems Technology - Networking
Josh “Comp” Byrne, Edmonton, AB — Business Administration - Marketing
Bailey “Nitryx” Lamont, Windsor, ON — Esports Administration & Entrepreneurship
Head Coach Mike LePine
Assistant Coach Ajay Singh — Biomedical Engineering Technology - Equipment and Devices
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