By: Kellen Gormley
Mines Esports closed out the fall semester with a high-stakes championship weekend, as League of Legends Varsity, League of Legends Junior Varsity, and Rainbow Six Siege Varsity all competed in their respective Grand Finals. Across three nights of action, the Orediggers showcased championship-level talent, resilience, and consistency, highlighted by a perfect-season title from League of Legends Varsity.
League of Legends Varsity – Grand Finals vs Ohio State
Result: W, 2–0
League of Legends Varsity delivered a dominant performance in the Grand Finals, sweeping Ohio State 2–0 to complete a perfect season. Mines finished the year 10–0 in matches and 20–0 in games, claiming the Ranked 2 Division Championship.
In Game 1, Mines controlled the pace from start to finish, securing a decisive win in just 26 minutes with a commanding 21–6 kill advantage. Ohio State attempted to push back in Game 2, but Mines maintained their composure and closed out the championship in 28 minutes with a 21–15 kill margin. The victory capped off one of the most dominant seasons in program history.
League of Legends Junior Varsity – Grand Finals vs University of Wisconsin–Superior
Result: L, 0–2
League of Legends JV fell 0–2 to the University of Wisconsin–Superior in the Grand Finals, bringing an end to an impressive playoff run. Wisconsin–Superior controlled both games and limited Mines' opportunities to swing momentum.
Despite the loss, the JV squad's postseason success was a major accomplishment. After starting the regular season 5–3, the team made a deep playoff push and earned a spot in the championship match. The experience gained throughout the season sets the foundation for a strong return next year.
Rainbow Six Siege Varsity – Grand Finals vs University of Texas at Tyler
Result: L, 1–2
Rainbow Six Siege Varsity suffered a heartbreaking 1–2 loss to the University of Texas at Tyler in a tightly contested Best-of-Three Grand Finals. Mines entered the match undefeated at 8–0 and had previously defeated UT Tyler during the regular season.
Mines opened the series strong, winning Map 1 (Border) 7–4. UT Tyler responded on Map 2 (Clubhouse) with a 7–2 victory to force a decisive third map. The championship came down to Map 3 (Chalet), where Mines reached match point at 6–5 before UT Tyler forced overtime. The teams traded rounds until a final decisive round at 7–7, where UT Tyler secured the win 8–7, ending Mines' perfect season in dramatic fashion.
Weekend Summary
Championship Weekend showcased the continued rise of Mines Esports, highlighted by a flawless title run from League of Legends Varsity and strong postseason performances across all competing teams. With multiple championship appearances and a division title secured, the Orediggers close the semester with momentum and confidence heading into the next competitive season.
Go Orediggers!