Owen Capria Becomes First Herkimer Esports Athlete to win NJCAAE Individual National Championship

History was made on Thursday evening on the Herkimer College campus.

And sophomore Owen Capria was the one to make it.

Capria became the first player in the history of Herkimer College Esports to claim an individual NJCAAE Open Series National Championship, when he defeated Northeastern Junior College 3-0 in the Street Fighter 6 Open Series National Championship Game.

Capria was well prepared for his opponent and was in control from the start. The entire match lasted just over five minutes as he won each game in the series.

“I had no idea where the program would take me,” said Capria, after winning the NJCAAE Open Series National Championship.” “Herkimer Esports really opened my eyes to an amazing community that always had my back. Thanks to Herkimer, I now have opportunities I would have never had, and I'll be pursuing esports at my next college.”

A week before, Capria set another program record by claiming the SUNY Esports Championship in Street Fighter 6, defeating SUNY Canton 4-3 in an instant classic.

"Owen is the epitome of what an esports athlete should be," said Herkimer College Esports Head Coach Josh Lanza. "He began his collegiate Street Fighter 6 career as a complete novice, starting in the lowest ranking in the game of “Rookie" and in just four semesters, through sheer grit, determination and countless hours of practice, Owen achieved the rank of “Master”.

Now Capria has reached a new rank — National Champion.

You can catch all the Herkimer Esports action live on Twitch at: www.twitch.tv/herkimer_generals_esports