Concordia’s Overwatch Team Wins Central Region Championship
After an 0-3 start that placed their season on the brink, the Concordia University, Nebraska esports Overwatch team completed a dramatic turnaround, capturing the Central Region Championship with a series of decisive postseason victories.
Competing in Blizzard Entertainment’s team-based game Overwatch, players assumed the roles of distinct “heroes,” each with unique abilities and responsibilities.
“Success in esports requires coordinated strategy and communication. These are skills Concordia developed over the course of the season,” said Esports Coach and Assistant Professor of Computer Science Marcus Gubanyi.
The Bulldogs’ early struggles left little margin for error. Entering the latter half of the regular season at 0-3, Concordia responded with three consecutive wins to close at 3-3, narrowly securing a playoff berth as the number eight seed.
Facing top-seeded opposition in the opening round, Concordia upset the College of Eastern Idaho setting the tone for an unlikely postseason run. The team followed with another strong performance against Concordia University, St. Paul, advancing to the championship match against the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
“Success requires coordinated strategy and communication. These are skills Concordia developed over the course of the season.”
The title match tested Concordia’s resilience. Falling behind 0-2 in a best-of-seven series, the Bulldogs faced elimination pressure early. Instead of faltering, the team adjusted its compositions and execution, winning four straight maps to secure a 4-2 series victory and the regional title.
“The championship is a defining moment for Concordia’s esports program as its third regional title in program history,” said Gubanyi.
The Bulldogs previously claimed regional championships in Valorant in 2023 and again in 2025. With the Central Region crown secured, Concordia now turns its attention to the national stage, where 16 of the top teams across the country in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Division VII will compete for the title. Concordia currently competes in Division VII, with continued competitive success positioning the program for potential advancement in future seasons. The Bulldogs enter nationals with momentum and a proven ability to adapt under pressure, positioning themselves as a team capable of extending their postseason run.
The Bulldogs won the first round of NECC Division VII Nationals on April 24, 2026, against West Virginia Tech. The next match, against Florida Polytechnic University, is the first of a potential double-header. The esports team will be hosting a watch party open to all students on May 1st in Janzow Campus Center starting at 6:30 p.m.
Students who participate in Concordia’s Overwatch team include:
Simon Wegener, Raytown, Missouri
Andrew Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Samuel Martin, Omaha, Nebraska
PJ Maestas, Chico, California
Andrew Schlichting, Lyons, Nebraska
Nathaniel Bull, Seward, Nebraska
Learn more about Concordia’s esports program at:
https://www.cune.edu/competitive-teams/esports
https://www.instagram.com/cune_esports/
