Cruz Jones went winless at the Illinois esports state tournament in 2025. One year later, the Benet Academy rising senior is a national champion.
Jones, a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitor from the Lisle school that draws heavily from Naperville-area families, won the Amateur Esports Association's national tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in July 2026. He defeated nearly 30 competitors from ten states in a double-elimination bracket to claim what school officials told NCTV17 is the first national title of any kind in Benet Academy's history.
"It is kind of surprising, but I mean, it feels really good that after last year I went zero wins at state," Jones told NCTV17 on Wednesday, July 23. "It feels much better."
The turnaround started earlier in 2026, when Jones won the IHSA state championship in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. That state title qualified him for the national stage in Tulsa.
Kevin Blaney, Benet's esports coach and fine arts teacher, said Jones's success came from within. He described Jones as "incredibly self-motivated" and credited the rising senior's dedication for carrying him from a winless state showing to a national championship in 12 months.
The achievement comes nearly five years after the IHSA Board of Directors sanctioned esports as a competitive activity in August 2021. The association held its first Esports State Series in April 2022. More than 120 Illinois high schools have since established esports teams, according to a March 2026 report in The Hinsdalean.
Jones said his earliest gaming memory is playing Super Mario Bros. with his family. When he arrived at Benet and learned about scholarship opportunities in competitive gaming, he committed fully. The runner-up at nationals is now one of his best friends, Jones said, and the two push each other to improve. He plans to return to Tulsa in 2027 to defend his title.
This week in Naperville sports
Monday, August 10 — Springbrook Women's Invitational, Springbrook Golf Course (2220 W. 83rd St., Naperville). Part of the 2026 Brooks Tournament Series. Registration open at golfnaperville.org.
Monday, August 10, 3:15 p.m. — Naperville North High School (899 N. Mill St.) girls golf tryouts at Springbrook Golf Course.
Tuesday, August 11, 10:45 a.m. — Naperville North girls golf tryouts, Day 2, at Springbrook Golf Course.
Fall sports registration deadlines for Naperville North, Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley, and Metea Valley have not been publicly posted as of Thursday, July 24. Contact each school's athletic department or visit ihsa.org for updates.
