MCC esports team earns fourth straight playoff berth, ranks No. 5 in state

Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central Schools in partnership with Mason County Pess.

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central High School esports Mario Kart team has qualified for the Michigan High School Esports League state playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

For the 2026 spring season, MCC enters the postseason with its highest-ever state ranking at No. 5.

“Each of the past two seasons we have had a higher ranking and made it further,” said co-head coach Tim Danielson. “We are hoping the trend continues as we had a lot of fun in the fall and know we can compete for the state title.”

To celebrate the team’s success and playoff berth, several team members took part in a lighthearted stunt organized by coaches and school staff. Racers Ryan Walker, Colton Lange, Chloie Woods and Jackson Rosenow were mock “arrested” by School Resource Deputy Postma of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office and issued humorous “tickets” for offenses including speeding, driving without a license, reckless driving and littering — referencing Mario Kart staples like banana peels and shells.

“We put up ‘wanted poster’ locker signs at the beginning of the season and the coaches thought that this would be a fun way to continue that and celebrate their success,” Danielson said.

MCC will compete in playoff races Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. in Room C2 at the high school. The top four teams advancing from the playoffs will travel to Oakland University for the state finals on Saturday, April 25.

Co-coaches Marissa and Augustin Rodriguez said the team enters the postseason with increased depth compared to the fall season, bolstered by returning players and valuable playoff experience.

They noted the team has a stronger understanding of the postseason environment and expectations, positioning them for another deep run.

“Our potential third-round playoff match could be against Novi,” Danielson said. “They are the team that beat us in the final four last fall. They are becoming kind of a nemesis for us. We like the challenge of having to beat them to earn our way back to the state championship.

“To be the best, we have to beat the best.”

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