Kids & Family
Old Bridge High School Senior Commits To Collegiate Video Gaming Team
E-sports is competitive video gaming. More and more high schools and colleges across the country are forming e-sports teams.
OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A senior at Old Bridge High School will commit to playing for the e-sports team at Brookdale Community College.
What is e-sports? It's competitive video gaming and more and more high schools and colleges across the country are forming competitive video game teams.
And colleges are treating it just as competitively as physical sports teams: On Monday, Old Bridge High School senior Evan Kraja signed a letter of intent with the National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) to join Brookdale’s esports program.
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Kraja will compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of the community college's growing and competitive esports team.
“Brookdale Esports is thrilled to welcome Evan to our program,” said Brandon Ebanks, Smash Team coach at Brookdale. “Evan brings not only strong technical skill and competitive experience, but also leadership, resilience and a true passion for the game. We are excited to see how he will contribute to our team’s continued success.”
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“Brookdale is close, has a wonderful esports team, and fits into my future plan,” said Kraja, and he shared that his favorite quote is “I may have failed … but I’m closer than before!” — Winston Churchill.
Kraja was captain of the Old Bridge High School Smash team, helping lead his team to an impressive combined regular and postseason record of 29-10. His individual accomplishments include a Top 4 finish at the Garden State Esports (GSE) 128-player Smash Tournament and a Top 8 finish in the Old Bridge High School Team Singles Tournament in Spring 2025. He also participated in the GSE College Combine and posted a 2-2 record at Supernova, including a notable win over a top competitor.
Kraja started playing e-sports as a high school sophomore when he was placed into a high-pressure playoff match and delivered an upset victory. From that moment forward, he established himself as a dominant force in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at Old Bridge High School, and a respected leader among his peers.
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