Colorado High School Esports Qualifiers Determined for Super Smash Bros. Tournament

All 16 teams set to compete in-person at Localhost for state championship round of 16.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:09pm

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate match, with the players and action broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape.The Colorado high school esports scene continues to evolve, with the state's top Super Smash Bros. Ultimate teams competing for the championship.Pueblo West Today

The Colorado High School Activities Association has finalized the 16 teams that will advance to the in-person round of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate state championships. The eight quarterfinal matches will take place on April 30 at Localhost, with the semifinals and finals following later that day.

Why it matters

Esports continues to grow in popularity among Colorado high school students, with the CHSAA overseeing competitive gaming tournaments alongside traditional sports. The Super Smash Bros. event is one of the most anticipated esports competitions in the state, drawing top players and teams from across Colorado.

The details

Three teams ranked outside the top 16 seeds managed to qualify for the in-person round, including No. 25 Thunderhawks WT (Prairie View), No. 23 Creek Smash A (Cherry Creek), and No. 18 North Smash A (Denver North). The top seven seeds all held their positions and advanced as well, led by No. 1 Kadet Smash Bros (Air Academy).

  • The Round of 16 matches will be played in person at Localhost on Thursday, April 30.
  • Play will begin at 9 a.m., with the quarterfinal round set for 10:30 a.m., the semifinals at noon, and the finals at 1:30 p.m.

The players

Kadet Smash Bros

The No. 1 seed from Air Academy High School, featuring players David Basanez, Creed Anderson, and James Phelps.

Ban Hanenbow

The No. 2 seed from Valor Christian High School, with Graydon Bay, Logan Pribble, and Ryan Barone on the roster.

DCHS Varsity Smash

The No. 3 seed from Douglas County High School, comprised of Dean Martinez, Ava Smith, and Lucien Addler.

Thunderhawks WT

The No. 25 seed from Prairie View High School, featuring Sarah Roundhouse, Connie CerLee, and Rebecca Robinson.

Creek Smash A

The No. 23 seed from Cherry Creek High School, with Anpetu Chrisjohn, Holden MacDonald, and Levin Vang on the team.

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What’s next

The quarterfinal matches of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate state championships will take place on April 30 at Localhost, with the semifinals and finals following later that day.

The takeaway

The CHSAA's esports program is providing high school students across Colorado with opportunities to compete in popular gaming titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, showcasing the growing integration of competitive video gaming into the traditional high school sports landscape.