Blinn sweeps SUNY Onondaga in Overwatch play

Donnivan Straight, Jose Soliz, Antony Luna, Dylan Wiley, Salvador Castaneda, Carter Lenahan, and Charles Tomlinson competed for the Buccaneers.

Overwatch is a team-based, first-person shooter in which players select heroes with unique abilities and work together to complete objectives across multiple map modes. Each team can strategically choose its maps based on team strengths and opponent weaknesses.

The match opened on Lijiang Tower in Control, where teams fight to capture and hold a single point. The first team to reach 100% control wins two rounds in a best-of-three format, with the loser of each round selecting the next map.

Blinn controlled the pace from the beginning and secured a convincing 2-0 map victory. Following the opening map, Blinn head coach and Overwatch manager Kyle Murto substituted Lenahan and Tomlinson into the lineup, giving both players valuable competitive experience while maintaining the team's momentum.

The Bucs continued their strong performance on Eichenwalde in Hybrid. The Hybrid mode requires teams to first capture a point and then escort a payload, with attackers required to secure the capture point before advancing the payload. Blinn shut out Onondaga 3-0, remaining disciplined and coordinated while consistently winning team fights and preventing its opponents from finding success.

The series concluded on Esperança in Push, where teams battle to control a robot and push it toward the opponent's side. The first team to push the robot farther than its opponent wins, with the loser selecting the next map. Blinn once again showcased complete control, earning a 2-0 victory to secure the 3-0 sweep.

"This was one of our most complete performances of the season," Murto said. "Overall, it was a phenomenal team performance across all roles. The team displayed excellent communication, strong mechanical play, and outstanding objective control throughout the match. Carter and Charles stepped in seamlessly and contributed to the team's success, making the most of their opportunity to gain valuable match experience."

Up next for Blinn Overwatch is a Collegiate Overwatch Swiss Stage bout against Washington State University at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987.