JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Illinois College earned the NECC Division III Midwest Championship in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with a 2–1 victory over Rockford University. After dropping Game 1, the Blueboys surged back with an 8–0 sweep in Game 2 and a composed 2–0 finish in Game 3 to secure the title.
In Game 1, Illinois College experimented with matchups but couldn't overcome Rockford's late-game momentum. The team responded with one of its most dominant performances of the year in Game 2. Adam Byrd opened the round with 4 stocks, including one against Rockford's top competitor, before Julian Luaders took over and eliminated 8 straight stocks.
Game 3 showcased the depth of the roster. Byrd again started strong with 4 stocks, Devin Ussery added 3 more with a crucial knockout on Lucario, and Jake Petrovich extended the advantage by taking 4 additional stocks. With a 3–1 lead entering the final stretch, Julian closed out the match by securing the championship-winning stock.
Box Score
Illinois College closes the season as the NECC SSBU Division III Midwest Champion, marking a historic achievement for the program.
Up Next
The SSBU team is back in action after the New Year as they return to MVEC play as they are scheduled to begin play with Cornell College on Monday, January 26th at 7:00pm.
