The ETSU Paintball Club had a fair season this year. They finished no better than third in any tournament, but as a team, they found a rhythm. As they prepared to head to the National Collegiate Paintball Championship, they were hopeful. The paintball team packed into two cars on a Thursday morning around 6 a.m., and drove straight through the night, arriving in Lakeland, Fla., at 8 that Friday morning.

After signing in with tournament officials, the team spent the rest of that first day watching early games, studying the field and mapping out a strategy.

They then piled into a single hotel room to get as much rest as possible for the days ahead of them.

Day one of the tournament, ETSU entered a late bracket. The Bucs won six of their eight preliminary games in the Class AA tourney. Each win boosted their confidence.

On Sunday, the paintball Bucs won two of their first three games, receiving a gross major penalty at the end of the third game, resulting in a serious deduction. That dealt a major blow to the team’s poise, but the Bucs held their composure.

“We went from being sure we were in the top four to maybe not making the cut,” said Charlie Smith.

The Bucs went on to beat the University of Texas in two straight semi-final games, sending them into a battle for first place against the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers had just come off a two-game win against the University of Nebraska, but the Bucs were in the zone.

ETSU won the first game with all five players still alive. They lost the second game with four up. The pressure was on for the final, but the paintball Bucs were hungry for a victory. In less than a minute, they pulled off a win with all five players still alive.

“When we won, we were all ecstatic,” said Smith. “There is no way to describe what it feels like to win a national championship.”

After shaking hands with the other teams and thanking the referees, the Bucs packed up their cars and drove through the night to Johnson City to prepare for class the next morning.

With a national championship under its belt, the ETSU paintball team has high hopes for the future. Talent abound, the team now needs more funding and sponsorship, like competing schools, to further its success.

“Now that we are the national champions, we don’t know what is next,” said Smith. “We hope for a little more help from the school so we can get some more practice in, and maybe play Class A next season. We have the talent; all we need is the tools.”

In celebration of their victory, team members recently made good on a pact they made to shave their heads if they brought home the title. In addition to getting used to their new hairstyles, the team is collectively basking in the glory of bringing home the national championship title.

If you wish to show your support for the team, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/ETSU-Paintball/214603520586?ref=ts.

Also on the site, videos of the ETSU paintball Bucs in action at last weekend’s tournament are available.

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