L to R: Riley Green, Aidan Perez, Matt Gawroniak
The Baker College esports team, The Swarm, delivered an electrifying Spring 2025 regular season, showcasing their dominance in collegiate VALORANT. Competing in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), Playfly College Esports, and College VALORANT (CVAL) competitions, The Swarm finished with an impressive 20-4 regular season record. Their standout performance has secured them a spot at one of the biggest collegiate LAN events of the year—the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) Finals.
As the #2 seed in the CECC Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) bracket, The Swarm stormed through tough competition, taking down UCLA, Concordia-St. Paul, and Missouri Baptist. In a hard-fought battle against Siena Heights University, Baker clinched a decisive victory in the final map, punching their ticket to the prestigious CECC Finals.
While entering the College VALORANT spring season as the #2 seed in the highly competitive North Championship Division, The Swarm faced some of the strongest teams in the country. After securing early wins against St. Cloud State and Wisconsin-Stout, they encountered setbacks against the University of Akron and Western Kentucky. However, with a must-win final Swiss round, The Swarm delivered, defeating the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy to secure a playoff spot.
In the North Championship Division playoffs, The Swarm faced a tough first-round matchup against #1 seed Maryville University. Despite a strong effort, they fell into the lower bracket, where they rebounded with commanding wins over Purdue, Concordia-St. Paul, and the University of Missouri—earning a bid to the National Championship in April. Their impressive playoff run ended in the Lower Semifinals against Missouri Baptist, securing a commendable 4th place finish in the North Championship Division.
“This season has been nothing short of extraordinary, especially considering this is our first year as a program,” said Henry Johnston, Director of Esports. “For a brand new team to compete at the highest levels—and even secure a spot at the CECC Finals—is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and talent of our players. Qualifying for a LAN opportunity in our inaugural season proves that Baker College Esports is here to compete and win. And we’re just getting started.”
After winning the NECC Division 2 championship in the fall, The Swarm advanced to Division 1, where they competed among the top 16 teams in the national conference. They started strong with three consecutive wins against UC-San Diego, Conestoga College, and Northwood University before a narrow loss to Concordia-St. Paul. That setback, however, would be their only defeat of the season. The Swarm bounced back with victories over Converse University, Oklahoma Christian, and Maryland, finishing 1st in their group with a 6-1 record and securing the #1 seed for playoffs.
For the second straight semester, The Swarm dominated the Open Premier Division of Playfly College Esports, finishing the regular season undefeated. They secured victories over UBC-Okanagan, Hesston College, Alberta, Waukesha County Tech, UC-Santa Barbara, Oregon, Cumberland, and Rutgers, proving their consistency and strength in competition. With an 8-0 record, The Swarm enters the playoffs as the #2 seed. Added momentum on their side ensures The Swarm is ready for a buzzing postseason run, as they continue their journey toward national titles.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more about the esports program, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.