Three eighth-grade students from Yellowquill School have leveled up their esports reputation, clinching fourth place in the Manitoba School Esports Association Tournament for Brawlhalla—a dramatic improvement after a challenging 2023/2024 season. The team, coached by Myles Hrechka, battled through the competition on May 18–19 in Winnipeg, supported by tech sponsors Alienware, Dell, and Intel Gaming.
From setback to success: A team’s journey
Last year’s tournament left the Yellowquill squad discouraged, but this year’s fourth-place finish marks a hard-fought comeback. “That’s pretty amazing,” says Rory, one of the team’s three members (one of whom was absent during interviews). “Last year, we did not do very good. This year we went to provincials and got fourth, which is pretty good.”
Teammate Cole echoes the sentiment, calling the result “a small victory” that fueled their momentum. “Every little victory helps build up towards the end of the tournament,” he says.
Brawlhalla and beyond: The tournament landscape
Described by Rory as “Super Smash Bros. with original characters,” Brawlhalla is a fast-paced fighting game where players knock opponents off platforms. The team practiced on Nintendo Switch consoles at school but switched to PC setups at provincials, a shift Cole says required them to adapt on the fly.
The tournament also featured titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Chess, Klask, Crokinole, Rocket League, and Minecraft. Coach Hrechka highlights the event’s scale: “They had all the games on projectors. Alienware, Dell, and Intel Gaming donated a bunch of PCs for the event.” The tech giants supported the competition through their Education Equipment Loan Program, providing critical equipment for competitors.
Support and strategy: Looking ahead
Hrechka credits the team’s synchronization for their success. “We worked on team combos and strategy—knowing when to attack high or low,” he says. Though Rory admits they “didn’t get around to” mastering all planned tactics, their dedication paid off.
Both students aim to continue competing into high school, with Cole even eyeing a switch to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Hrechka vows to keep the club thriving: “As long as I’m here at Yellowquill, there will be an esports club. Other teams don’t like seeing us because they know we’re bringing the heat.”
With sponsors powering the event and a coach championing their growth, Yellowquill’s esports legacy is just beginning. “I’m really proud of my team,” Hrechka says. For these students, the game is far from over.