For the first time since 2001, the Muskingum University Fighting Muskies are national champions.

Muskingum esports claimed two ECAC National Championships recently in Fortnite and Madden, the first two in the program's history. The championships were the crescendo on what has been a spectacular season for the esports program. The Muskies won over 100 games, including victories over Division 1 opponents Florida State, TCU, and Akron.

The first National Championship for the Fighting Muskies came in Fortnite with the duo of Kesten Taylor and Tre Boger. The Fighting Muskies' Fortnite duo was a dominant force all season, leading the country in both victory royales and eliminations. They capped off their magical run by winning three of the last four maps on the season, the last one guaranteeing the National Championship.

In the final standings, the Muskies finished with 610 points on the season and a massive lead over the second-place finishers (the University of Albany) 433 points.

The same night, Doug Crawford competed against Lakeland University (coached by Green Bay Packers legend Ahman Green) for the Madden National Championship. An underdog in the match, Doug was facing an opponent he had lost previously to in the season and was looking for revenge when it mattered the most.

In a best of three series, Doug dropped a tight game one to put himself on the brink of elimination. Game two, things got even worse as Doug quickly found himself in an early 14-0 deficit and down 17-10 at the half with the other team set to receive. Unshaken, Doug forced back-to-back interceptions to take the lead and ultimately win game two. In game three, a back-and-forth battle would ultimately be decided by Doug hitting a game-winning field goal as time expired to claim Muskingum's first-ever Madden National Championship!

After the matches, esports Head Coach Christopher Bilski talked about what it meant to win two National Championships.

"I feel so blessed to not only be a part of this program but to have had the success we have had this year. To win two National Championships was beyond my wildest expectations, as I know many coaches wait their entire career for that type of opportunity," Bilski said. "Still, this is only the beginning. I am excited to continue to build and grow Muskingum University esports into a premier collegiate program, and I am so proud of my students and what they have accomplished this year!"

Esports is still recruiting for Fall 2021 and beyond and is offering esports scholarships to interested students! For more information on how you can join a championship program, email Coach Bilski at cbilski@muskingum.edu.