Four years ago, Archbishop Riordan’s Esports program was just an idea floating around during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Today, it’s a championship winning team that competes nationally and is filled with students who find community and competition through gaming.

The program’s story began when student Santiago Maldonado ’24 approached social studies teacher Cory Nelson about starting a competitive gaming team.

Initially, Nelson rejected the idea, but Maldonado asked again his sophomore year. By his junior year, Archbishop Riordan had its first Esports team.

“It started with kids bringing their own equipment, which was a logistical nightmare,” Nelson recalled.

He added, “But Mr. (Brian) Kelly supported us with gaming laptops, and that provided an opportunity for anyone to play with their team at school. Each year we’ve tried to make incremental steps—better equipment, more recognition, and more students getting involved earlier.”

Evidently, these steps have paid off. Last year, the Mario Kart team captured a regional championship and reached the Elite Eight of a national championship featuring 64 schools.

Robert Pon ’26 recalled the experience vividly: “It was surreal. I saw us go from a team that was out in the first round to steamrolling opponents. I never expected that kind of success.”

Pon, who has been part of the team since its early days, said the program has completely transformed.

“We used to just recruit whoever we could,” he said. “Now we’ve got a well-rounded group of talent, and that’s changed everything. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is humility—if you expect to be great without putting in the work, you’ll be disappointed.”

His focus now is on leading the team to a back-to-back title before he graduates.

Going beyond their success in Mario Kart, Nelson now looks to further the team’s success into other games.

Titles such as Valorant and Marvel Rivals, which draw huge communities and competition worldwide, is the next frontier for Riordan Esports.

Nelson hopes to see these two squads reach the same peak of success as Mario Kart.

“I want Valorant to win, I want Marvel Rivals to dominate,” he explained. “These are highly competitive games, but I know our players have the talent to succeed.”

This vision resonates with team member Tony Moreno ’26, an avid team leader and streamer.

He expressed that joining Esports gave him the opportunity to turn his passion for gaming and streaming into reality.

“As a kid, I dreamed of being the biggest YouTuber,” Moreno explained. “I tried basketball and boxing, but I always came back to video games. Streaming was my start, but being part of a team showed me what competition really feels like.”

Moreno’s proudest moment occurred when both the Valorant and Marvel Rivals squads made the playoffs.

“Even with a substitute filling in, we pulled it off,” he said. “It showed me how strong we could be as a team.”

For Nelson, these stories reflect what makes the program special.

“We’ve had shy students come in and emerge as leaders,” he said.

“Some run their team in-game, others step into student leadership roles. Beyond the skills, it gives kids a place where they belong.”

The Esports team’s progress has faced tremendous growth from being a small idea to now competing in large competitions.

From national playoff runs to championship banners, and from streaming dreams to senior legacies, Riordan Esports has quickly become more than just students playing video games.

It’s an embodiment of discipline, teamwork, and pride, as well as a program that continues to level up each season.