UNT’s Esports Overwatch team bested Oklahoma University in a nail-biting grand finals 3-2, making the team the first champion of OP Live Dallas, the first regional collegiate Overwatch tournament. The tournament, held Sept. 22 at the Irving Convention Center, was powered by the Dallas Fuel, Dallas’s professional Overwatch Team in the Overwatch League. Coach Aero, Jane, KyKy and professional players OGe and Effect were in attendance for the event.

Sixteen collegiate teams from the South and Midwest came to compete, including Texas Varsity programs UTD and Texas Wesleyan. UNT went 2-1 in the group stage, losing to Oklahoma University in their first match of the day. The team rallied and defeated Ole Miss and TCU, decisively leading them to go up against UTD. UNT’s Main Tank Sam “Samston” Sanchez capitalized on several enabling moments that crippled UTD’s line. The team collectively put up an incredible defense on game two, allowing them to close out UTD 2-0. UNT advanced to the semifinals vs. Texas Tech. UNT 2-0ed them swiftly, showcasing a signature combo played by Will “TKB” Simpson and Dallin “Riverlucky” Russle that allowed UNT to set up perfect plays for their team. This win would send UNT to go up against their morning rival Oklahoma University in the grand finals.

TKB’s Sombra play: https://clips.twitch.tv/BillowingHumbleSushiKeepo

“TKB’s hero Sombra allowed them to gain vital information for his team to pull off some amazing plays for UNT,” said Dylan Wray, UNT Esports coordinator.

At the finals, UNT gave the first game in the best of five, looking like history might repeat itself. UNT once again rallied and traded blows with OU back and forth with some incredibly close finishes. In the final match, UNT and OU were tied 2-2, but Matt “Executor” Harris was able to set up Samston’s hero to push OU off the point to finish the game and allow UNT to take the win.

Quick clip of the win: https://clips.twitch.tv/ColorfulBlazingWheelArgieB8

UNT won the championship and with it a private coaching session from Aaron “Aero” Atkins, the head coach for the Dallas Fuel, and assistant coaches Justin “Jayne” Conroy and Kyle “KyKy” Souder.

“The team played their hearts out today, and I couldn’t be more proud of them and the work they put into this win,” said Wray. “I hope more events like this take place where we are able to bring esports out in the open for our talented students to compete and give our fans a place to rally and cheer on their favorite college.”

For more information about UNT Esports, contact Dylan Wray at Dylan.wray@UNT.edu or Discord: Dylan Wray#4913.

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Contact: Ray Willhoft, 940-565-2464, raymond.willhoft@unt.edu