top guns

For the first time, Melbourne High School students have won an Esports state championship at the 2024 Fall Arkansas Activities Association State Esports Tournament held December 9 at Wynne High School.

At the tournament, Melbourne’s ‘The Top Guns’ Super Smash Bros Ultimate team captured the state championship over the esports dynasty, Rogers New Technology School.  They played best-of-five matches in the state tournament defeating Bentonville in the semifinals 3-2 and Rogers New Technology 3-2 in the finals. 

Gameplay in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a platform fighter game for up to eight players in which characters from Nintendo games fight to knock each other out of an arena.  Players can enable various items to attack enemies or gain power-ups along the way. 

The Top Guns consist of Franz Gschwandegger, Jonas Gschwandegger, and Noah Dennis.  They are super excited about their historic first state title in Melbourne’s Esports Program, which began three years ago.  SRO officer Chase Tomlinson has been the coach for two years. 

Franz, the team leader, replied in regards to the final match, “It could not have been closer.  I am grateful to lead such an exceptional and disciplined team, whose dedication and refined performance have advanced us to triumph.”

The Arkansas Activities Association recognized esports in 2019 as an activity, similar, to choir or band, rather than a sanctioned sport.  Schools can have teams for a specific game or a variety of games.  The competitions are open and not divided into conferences by school size with fall and spring competition seasons. 

Congratulations!