NASEF proudly announces the final event for the 2023 NASEF x NRG Carvana Combine in Rocket League.

WHO: NASEF high school esports students, additional NRG qualifiers, plus Rocket League Legends Musty, GarrettG, and Chell

• Anss Dawod, Ocean Township High School in Oakhurst, New Jersey
• Isaiah Spangler, Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas
• Kyler Withers, Buchanan High School in Buchanan, Michigan

Learn more about each student in their profiles below. 

WHAT: NASEF x NRG Carvana Combine. This fall, NASEF put out a nationwide call for students to compete in the path-to-pro showcase. The collaborative event leverages the talent and resources of the pro esports org NRG to create a unique hands-on learning experience for high schoolers. 

This incredible opportunity includes the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship or an NRG Content Creator contract plus a $10,000 signing bonus! The students were selected as finalists after a nationwide competition to create a hype video focused on the game Rocket League. Additional competitors at the event have already graduated from high school and qualified through a separate pathway with NRG.

WHERE: The weekend event will be broadcast live in LA from the legendary NRG Castle and hosted by Rocket League legends Musty, GarrettG, and Chell. Livestreamed on Twitch at NRGgg, https://www.twitch.tv/nrggg, and on the NRG Rocket League channel, https://www.youtube.com/@NRGRocketLeague/streams.

WHEN: Livestreamed on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 1:00 pm PDT to the finish at approximately 6:30 pm. 

WHY: NASEF, the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, leverages youth interest in esports to teach life and career skills and an understanding of career pathways. NRG and Carvana are supporting this mission by providing NASEF members an opportunity to display their talent; receive mentorship from NRG staff, players, and content creators; build a network to help their esports careers; and compete for a scholarship and possible contract with NRG.

Learn more about the NASEF finalists:

Anss Dawod

Anss Dawod, also known by his gamertag "NOTLeather," is a dedicated student from Ocean Township High School in Oakhurst, New Jersey. He is a passionate Rocket League player and a content creator.

Anss has always had an unrelenting passion for gaming, particularly in Rocket League. As the player-coach of Ocean Township High School's undefeated Rocket League team, Anss is not only a fierce competitor but also a leader. His team is currently preparing for the state tournament's semi-finals, which will be held on stage with an audience of hundreds on November 18th.

Anss founded and leads Ocean Township High School's esports program. His journey has been marked by years of dedication, hard work, and relentless advocacy to establish a strong esports program at his school. The program overcame numerous obstacles, including the use of subpar computers, to finish last year undefeated. This success propelled esports into the school's spotlight, leading to much-needed support and better resources for the team this year.

Anss also has a passion for cage fighting, which he seamlessly combines with his gaming journey. This unique combination has taught him valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of hard work and perseverance, both in the cage and on the Rocket League field. His journey is an example of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of one's dreams, and he is on a mission to inspire others through his content creation.

Isaiah Spangler

Isaiah Spangler is known by his gamertag "snapalicious." Isaiah hails from Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas. Isaiah’s favorite car is a 2023 Corvette Stingray. His hobbies include playing soccer and Rocket League, reading books, watching Star Wars, and hanging out with friends and family. 

Isaiah's journey into the world of esports and competitive gaming is an inspiring one. He, like many others, faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led him to seek new ways to connect with friends and share his passion for gaming. Isaiah and his friends joined the esports club, and it was there that he discovered his love for competitive gaming and content creation. 

Isaiah's true breakthrough came when he and his high school esports team won a local LAN (Local Area Network) tournament. This victory not only solidified his commitment to the esports community but also ignited a dream within him. He realized that esports and gaming could be more than just a hobby; it could be a potential career path.

Isaiah's passion extends beyond the competitive aspect of gaming. He envisions a future where he can share the excitement and enjoyment of gaming with others. Whether through content creation or competitive gaming, Isaiah is determined to make a positive impact on the gaming community. He believes that watching people play video games can be a thrilling and enjoyable experience, and he aspires to provide that experience to others by creating and sharing engaging gaming content.

Kyler Withers

Kyler Withers, who goes by the gamertag "R31yk," is a dedicated student from Buchanan High School in Buchanan, Michigan. He has several favorite cars: Nissan GT-R R35, McLaren Senna, Nissan Skyline R34 (with a preference for McLaren Senna). His hobbies include gaming, a passion for cars, leadership in esports, playing Valorant, and making people laugh. 

Kyler's love for gaming started at a remarkably young age. He picked up a controller when he was just two and a half years old, marking the beginning of a lifelong fascination. His early introduction to gaming laid the foundation for the skills and determination that have brought him to the NASEF NRG Carvana Combine.

Kyler serves as the captain of his high school's esports team, demonstrating strong leadership qualities and a commitment to the growth of the esports community at the high school level. Kyler enjoys playing Valorant, and his peak in Rocket League is GC1. In addition to his gaming prowess, Kyler is known for his sense of humor and the ability to make people laugh. He also notes that his parents taught him “how to respect people and be a gentleman.” 

Kyler’s participation in the NASEF NRG Carvana Combine is a testament to his dedication, talent, and the values of respect and sportsmanship instilled in him by his parents. He embodies the spirit of the esports community, combining passion for gaming with leadership, humor, and a commitment to excellence.

Please join the livestream and cheer on these NASEF finalists! Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 1:00 pm PDT to the finish at approximately 6:30 pm on Twitch at NRGgg, https://www.twitch.tv/nrggg, and on the NRG Rocket League channel, https://www.youtube.com/@NRGRocketLeague/streams.