MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's esports program has enjoyed a milestone-filled fall semester, claiming multiple titles and individual awards while displaying significant competitive growth in both the Midwest Esports Valley Conference (MVEC) and the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC).
Valorant Earns MVEC Regular Season Championship; Hetzel-Warhol Named Conference MVP
Cornell's Valorant team dominated the MVEC regular season, finishing undefeated and dropping only a single match to Morningside University. The team entered playoffs at Wartburg College on Nov. 8 as the No. 1 overall seed.
Cornell defeated Illinois College in the semifinals before facing rival Coe College and dropping the match narrowly in a dramatic grand finale to secure a second-place finish.
The team earned several top MVEC honors:
In the NECC, the Valorant team secured four wins against highly-ranked opponents and qualified for the playoffs, showing strong improvement in teamwork and communication through the season.
Rocket League Takes MVEC Runner-Up, Breaks St. Ambrose's Perfect Record
Cornell's Rocket League delivered one of its strongest semesters to date. The team fell only to St. Ambrose during the regular season and again in the playoffs at Wartburg College on Nov. 9 in the MVEC grand finals. Cornell took one game from St. Ambrose, breaking their undefeated streak of sweeping every team 4-0 and earning MVEC runner-up honors.
Individual MVEC awards included:
The team also competed in the NECC, finishing 2–5 in a higher division while using the matches as preparation for MVEC competition.
Captain's statement:
"Rocket League over this first semester has seen some crazy improvements and amazing wins. Over the summer, adding
Caleb Patten — the top player in Iowa — elevated our roster tremendously. None of this would be possible without our amazing coach, Landon Hinckley."
Cornell Leads MVEC Commissioner's Cup Standings
With strong finishes across Valorant and Rocket League, Cornell currently leads the race for the MVEC Commissioner's Cup, with St. Ambrose trailing by only five points. The final results will depend on performances from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Overwatch 2 in the spring semester.
Marvel Rivals Qualifies for NECC Playoffs, Launches Recruitment Push
Cornell's Marvel Rivals roster earned a 5-2 NECC regular-season record, securing a playoff berth. While the team fell in their postseason match, they now turn their focus to the MVEC Tournament on Dec. 6 and have opened recruitment for new players.
A new "Player of the Block" award debuted this semester; Zachary Jensen earned the honor for Block Three, recognizing his rapid improvement and ability to compete alongside a captain who peaked in the NECC top 200.
Overwatch 2 Rebuilds with New Roster
With a lineup composed mostly of new players from fall tryouts, Cornell's Overwatch 2 team faced a challenging NECC season. The roster development and team cohesion remain the focus moving forward.
Captain's statement:
"The team has been working towards filling a new roster and getting adjusted to large player changes from last year."
Rainbow Six Siege Reaches NECC Playoffs
Cornell's Rainbow Six Siege team continued its strong competitive trajectory this semester.
Coach's statement:
"We played extremely well earlier this season, which led to us getting far stronger competition. We made the playoffs, and we're looking to make a run now that our feet are under us!"
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Demonstrates Grit and Growth, Looks Ahead to MVEC Title Run
Cornell Smash Ultimate faced a tough NECC Division 2 schedule, finishing 1-7 but earning standout individual moments — including Joyuse Avila-Rodriguez, who took 10 stocks in the team's lone win versus Kettering University.
The team also competed at Honeypot 7, earning several set wins even while shorthanded. Significant growth in fundamentals, focus, and team culture marked the season.
Captain Arjay's statement:
"Despite the tough schedule, I'm proud of how we competed. We saw real resilience, strong performances at Honeypot 7, and meaningful growth across the board. This spring, in both NECC and MVEC, we expect to be highly competitive with a real chance to win MVEC."
