The Westmont Hilltop esports team made continuous progress during the infancy stages of the program.
In 2024-25, the Hilltoppers finished as runner-up in two different games during the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association championships at Mount Aloysius College in late May.
With just five players returning from those silver-medalist squads, newcomers were asked to fill important roles this season. The rookies made the transition look seamless as the Hilltoppers reached the state’s mountaintop for the first time as a program, winning PIEA titles in Division 2 “Overwatch” and “Rocket League” and Division 3 “Rocket League.”
Westmont Hilltop broadened its horizons in game titles to finish second in Division 2 “Marvel Rivals” and fifth in Division 1 “Overwatch” as well. The Hilltoppers posted the most wins for a single school district, setting a new record in the process.
“Everyone was super-excited to go to states in the beginning, but to win three state championships meant so much more,” Westmont Hilltop senior captain Max Gordon said. “Many of the kids were younger or in their first year, so they can continue to keep winning within the upcoming years. Me personally, winning three state titles meant so much. I helped coach/play for all of those teams and to see them win was amazing.”
Continued growth within the program was impressive to witness, according to first-year coach Aaron Marshall.
“Winning three state titles is a huge accomplishment for our team, and I could not be prouder of these guys,” Marshall said. “Watching them grow as players and people has been a highlight of my career. They fought hard over the course of the school year to make it to this point, winning eight overall conference finals during the 2025-26 season, securing Westmont’s position in the state championships. This is the first time in Westmont esports history that we have brought home any state titles, let alone three. It feels surreal, but also extremely deserved at the same time. It speaks to the determination of our players, especially those that have been on the team working towards this for a number of years.”
‘Huge key’
After working its way through the bracket, Westmont Hilltop earned a chance to play for gold in two Rocket League divisions. In the Division 2 “Overwatch” finals, two Hilltoppers squads faced off to guarantee a victory for the team. In Rocket League, Westmont Hilltop defeated Hempfield Area 4-1 in Division 2 and topped Twin Valley 4-1 in Division 3. Westmont Hilltop dropped a 3-0 decision to Elizabethtown Area in the Marvel Rivals Division 2 final.
“Communication is a huge key to our wins in Overwatch,” Marshall said. “The game is extremely fast-paced, so every move counts towards securing victory and being able to communicate with one another is essential to gaining the upper hand in a match. Keeping a level head and being able to rally as a team is something that our guys excel at game after game. Our state Overwatch win pitted Westmont against Westmont as PIEA consolidated D2 and D3 into one single division this year, making for a very exciting final game for everyone.”
Westmont Hilltop esports team
Members of the Westmont Hilltop esports team are (front row, from left) Teagan Prosser, Gabe Portser, Avery Beard, Lucas Shoemaker and Antonio Featherston; (back row) Max Gordon, Anthony Zeris, coach Aaron Marshall, Mario Hunt, Nolan Slisz, Matthew Zimmerman, Dillon Siffey, Keaton Myers, Raven Clarke and Alex Rose.
Westmont Hilltop players in Overwatch included Avery Beard, Ben Gailey, Gordon, Mario Hunt, Gabe Portser, Teagan Prosser, Alex Rose, Connor Robertson, Josh Skelly, Dillon Stiffey, Dom Stiffey, Anthony Zeris, and Lennon Zimmerman.
Scrimmages helped the Hilltoppers get ready for matches against other schools.
“For Overwatch, we would scrimmage other teams to prepare throughout the state bracket,” Gordon said. “For Rocket League Division 2, we also would scrimmage teams and practice after school some days. Division 3 would only practice together after school. It was also difficult since many players play across different titles, but we didn’t let it stop us.”
Westmont Hilltop did some scouting on opposing teams to see how they attacked a certain game with pin-pointed strategy. As captain and acting assistant coach, Gordon made sure players received equal playing time so everyone could share in the success while displaying the team’s wealth of skilled players and depth.
“Overall, we would watch videos of gameplay from the other teams we would be playing to formulate plans against them,” Gordon said. “It especially helped our Division 2 Black team to win over Hempfield in the semifinal. As a captain, I scheduled the scrimmages for all of the teams, along with letting everyone know all information/stuff going on. I also made sure everyone played equally and always was able to play and be a part of the success.”
‘Very effective’
Coordination and timing played integral roles for the Hilltoppers in Rocket League.
“Organization and waiting for the right moment are definitely keys in our Rocket League Division 2 wins,” Marshall said. “As with Overwatch, communication is another key to winning. Rocket League functions similarly to soccer, so being able to set things up to score goals is essential. Our players are very effective at making plays in the moment, trusting and relying on each other to be where they need to be from moment to moment.”
Members of the Division 2 Rocket League team were Gordon, Troy Madden, Bryson Oliver and Nolan Slisz.
Gordon used his expertise to help the Division 3 Rocket League squad thrive.
“In addition to the keys that made our D2 Rocket League team successful, our captain, Max Gordon, is another key to our D3 Rocket League success,” Marshall said. “Max spent a lot of time recruiting players for this team and working with them to hone skills to be successful throughout the season.”
Beard, Antonio Featherston and Lucas Shoemaker were team members.
‘Continued growth’
Westmont Hilltop completed its fifth season of play in 2025-26. The program started in 2021 and has been ascending ever since.
Earning state gold medals became the team’s most important goal this past season.
Westmont Hilltop esports team
Members of the Westmont Hilltop esports team are (front row, from left) Ben Gailey, Matthew (Lennon) Zimmerman, Mario Hunt, Alex Rose, Gabe Portser, Connor Robertson and Teagan Prosser; and (back row) coach Aaron Marshall, Avery Beard, Lucas Shoemaker, Anthony Zeris, Max Gordon, Dominic Stiffey and Dillon Stiffey shown during the fall of 2025 at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa.
“Being in the 2025 championship helped me and a few others realize what we needed to do to have a successful year this year,” Gordon said. “We only had five players return from the two teams from last year that placed second. We wanted to make sure we got some championship wins before some of us graduated.”
To also place in Marvel Rivals and Overwatch at the highest level, the Hilltoppers are excelling in many different game titles. By playing different games, it attracts more players to join the esports team and keep the program humming.
“This is the first year that Westmont has had a D1 Overwatch team and a Marvel Rivals team,” Marshall said. “I think that this speaks to the growth of our program and the value that it brings to our students. Diversifying the titles that we play has brought a whole new group of students into esports, and I look forward to seeing our continued growth. Our success in multiple games really proves that Westmont is a force to be reckoned with in the esports arena.”
Capturing state titles was an important step for the esports program, but the team does not intend to slow down any time soon.
“This is my first year as the esports coach, but it was immediately apparent to me that our guys were extremely motivated to bring home wins this year, especially after getting so close at the 2025 state finals,” Marshall said. “That being said, they are now even more determined to bring home more wins next school year.”
