by Ishmael Martinez, Bloomfield College Head Esports Coach
 
NEW HAVEN, CONN. (April 10, 2026) -- In a decisive showing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the championship match of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Spring 2026 Esports season ended in a clean 3–0 sweep in favor of the reigning champions, the Bloomfield College Bears, on Apr. 4.
 
Bloomfield has now won all four championships in Smash Ultimate in the two-year history of CACC esports and has yet to lose a regular-season or postseason match in the game title.
 
In the final, each Bloomfield player stepped up when called on and strived to keep the lead at all times. In the first set, the Bears’ Vuisaul Hardy got his team out to a 4-3 lead which led to Elijah Santiago stepping up and ending the set 9-4. Santiago’s positioning and aggressiveness shut down any chance of a comeback.
 
In the second set, freshman Tariq Rodgers gave Bloomfield another huge lead with 7 stocks taken and 3 stocks lost, leaving Goldey’s David Hale only 2 stocks to defend himself against Bloomfield’s Nico McClendon. Nico would claim those stocks losing only 1 himself ending the set in favor of the Bears 9-4
 
In what would prove to be the final set, McClendon would have a field day, taking 8 of 9 stocks by himself in an attempt to sweep the set. The Lightning’s Hale refused to go down without a fight, but eventually would be defeated by Santiago ending the set again 9-4.
 
More than winning, the sweep shows the Bears’ depth and consistency across the roster. Everyone contributed to the season and made sure that from the start of the season to the end, they worked hard together and maintained a high level of respect for their opponents.