Northwood University is proud to announce that Christopher “Cjay” Smith, one of its top Esports athletes, is heading to Hangzhou, China, to compete in the Overwatch Championship Series (OWCS) Major — the highest level of competition in Overwatch Esports.
Northwood University is proud to announce that Christopher “Cjay” Smith, one of its top Esports athletes, is heading to Hangzhou, China, to compete in the Overwatch Championship Series (OWCS) Major — the highest level of competition in Overwatch Esports.
Smith, a player from Levittown, New York, who signed a professional contract with Spacestation Gaming earlier this season, helped his team secure second place in North America during Stage 1 of the OWCS. Their performance earned them a coveted spot at the OWCS Major in China, where the top two teams from each region — North America, EMEA, APAC, and China — will battle to determine the best Overwatch team in the world.
“Overall, our performance in Stage 1 was expected since, coming into the season, we were predicted to be a top-two team,” Smith said. “I grew a lot as a teammate and player throughout Stage 1. Looking ahead, I anticipate that playing in China will be an experience I will never forget since this will be the first time I have been to Asia.”
This marks another international milestone for Smith, who traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, for the 2024 OWCS Playoffs and previously trained in the United Kingdom during a team boot camp.
“Playing in front of fans last year in Sweden was a tremendous experience that I can’t wait to have again,” Smith said.
Smith’s Northwood Esports coaches credit much of his rapid rise in the professional Overwatch scene to his dedication to improvement.
“When Cjay originally joined us in 2022, he was an up-and-comer with a lot of talent, even recommended by Landon McGee — a former Northwood Esports standout — as his replacement,” stated Assistant Coach Aden Frosch. “Flash forward to now, Cjay has made it to the highest echelon of Overwatch Esports and continues to show why he’s an outstanding player.”
Northwood anticipated Smith’s success and adjusted his class schedule to support his professional commitments, allowing him to balance his academic and esports careers, explained Northwood Esports Coach Jacob R. Jacob.
“This environment has helped Cjay flourish as a player,” Jacob added. “Not only is he committed to his craft, he’s also a dedicated student — something he truly prides himself on. Our program provides a space for players to focus solely on their academics and their competition. With professional coaching and a growing academy program, we’re continuing to develop the next generation of top Overwatch talent.”
Smith’s journey to this moment is a testament to Northwood Esports’ reputation for developing high-caliber players. Since its inception in 2019, Northwood has seen five Overwatch players — including Landon “Landon” McGee, Joseph “Lep” Cambriani, Diego “Vega” Moran, and Julian “Rokit” Pizana — sign professional contracts. Smith previously competed professionally for teams such as the Los Angeles Valiant, TSM, and NTMR (Nightmare), further solidifying his elite status in the Overwatch Esports scene.
The OWCS Major in Hangzhou is the first major global competition of the 2025 season. Future stages of the season include a midseason event tied to the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the championship playoffs planned for Stockholm, Sweden.
For more information about Northwood Esports, visit https://esports.northwood.edu/ or connect with Northwood Esports coaching staff through this inquiry form.
