This past Sunday, October 26, six members of Norwalk High School’s Varsity Esports Team made history at the 3rd Annual Grim Cup Tournament, hosted by Long Beach City College (LBCC) esports. Competing in the new team-based game Marvel Rivals, the NHS squad outperformed a field of eight high school and college programs — and came away as champions.

Out of the eight schools that competed, Norwalk High School won the entire competition, marking the first time an NLMUSD school has placed first in the Grim Cup, and the first time a high school team has ever won the tournament in its three-year history.

The team, comprised of Marley Merlos (Junior, Team Captain), Katie Phan (Junior), Dallas Morgan (Junior), Cristobel Lopez (Junior), Joel Rivera (Junior), and Elaine Phan (Freshman), competed in a six-player format, taking down Cathedral High School, Fullerton College, Long Beach City College, and Cal State Northridge in the grand finals to claim the title.

The Grim Cup is a fantastic opportunity for these students to get noticed by college recruiters. In-person tournaments like this are rare in the esports scene, so I’m very thankful that Long Beach Community College was willing to host. Thank you to all the parents who allow their students to practice as much as they do — without their support this team wouldn’t exist.
Ben Hopson, Biology/Esports Pathway

The Grim Cup, sponsored by Extron and Elgato, brings together some of Southern California’s most competitive high school and collegiate esports programs each October. Students arrived around 11 a.m. and played for nearly five hours straight, showcasing teamwork, endurance, and strategy.

This victory is especially meaningful for Norwalk’s team, which has been competing together since Spring 2025. Earlier this year, they reached the grand finals of a national tournament, finishing runner-up to Speedway High School of Indiana. Now, they’ve taken a major step forward — proving they can hold their own against collegiate competition.

"Through esports, students who otherwise wouldn't engage in school activities find a place to belong and represent Norwalk High in CIF," said Mr. Hopson. "Every day after school, students improve their gaming skills while developing critical thinking, bonding with students with similar interests. Norwalk esports is an award-winning program, boasting a top 4 finish in CIF, with wins in many other tournaments across the nation."

Prizes from Extron and Elgato are currently on their way to the champions, who have brought home an unforgettable win for Norwalk High and the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.