Otterbein University's esports team hosted Ohio Wesleyan on Monday, Oct. 20, in a three-game series that saw the Cardinals take the win in Overwatch but lose in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Rainbow Six Siege.
The matches were held as a live event with a watch party in the Point building, where parents, family, and friends showed up to watch the livestream competition.
Otterbein's Overwatch team pulled off a close 3-2 victory, but the Cardinals couldn't get it done in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Rainbow Six Siege, losing both matches 0-2.
The event had a bit of a reunion vibe, since Ohio Wesleyan's current esports director, Nevin Horne, used to run things at Otterbein before new director Henry Woofter came on board.
Ohio Wesleyan (left) and Otterbein (right) Esports teams.
Woofter, who's in his first year leading the program, has been working on bringing in solid coaches and building up the team. "The coaches that we've been able to get here are just huge for player development, student experience, and recruiting," Woofter said.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate coach Matt Reece talked about making quick adjustments during the match. Between games, Reece broke down what the team was seeing and changed up stage picks to play to his players' strengths after Ohio Wesleyan switched up their usual character picks.
Woofter, who's from Cleveland and previously ran an esports program in Indiana while getting his master's, said this job is exactly what he's always wanted. "This has kind of been like my dream job, basically my entire life, to be able to run like a college esports program," he said.
The director made sure to keep things in perspective when it comes to competitive gaming. "At the end of the day, it's just a game," Woofter said. "We're here to have fun, make friends, and have a great college experience."
