NOMINEES FOR Breakout Team of the Year
Seattle Thunder
Season Ranking: 11th, Highest Placing: 5th Place, NXL Mid-Atlantic Major.
Seattle Thunder has struggled to find a level of consistency over the last decade as a professional franchise. During that time, they finished almost every season in the bottom eight of the rankings. However, they have always shown those flashes of brilliance under the steady leadership of Corey Field. In the 2021 NXL Season, Thunder finally began to put together impressive performances and look like an elite team for part of the season. They opened the first two events of the year in dominant fashion, taking a 5th Place and 6th Place finish in Florida and Philadelphia. During that stretch they were one of the best teams in the league off the break, and their level of zone control was near unmatched. Although they fell off the final two events of the season, Corey Field may have finally found the recipe for success that they can carry into next season and truly establish themselves as a top program in the division.
Columbus LVL
Season Ranking: 15th, Highest Placing: 6th Place, NXL Windy City Major.
Columbus LVL has suddenly emerged onto the professional scene after having one of the worst professional starts of any franchise in the leagues history. They capped off their rookie season in the NXL in 2020 in the bottom six of the league and played poorly throughout the year. They came into 2021 with expectations as a potential candidate to be relegated from the division. They opened the season with a last place finish, followed by a 19th place in Philadelphia. Just as the rest of the paintball world was writing them off, they broke out in Chicago, refusing to cede their pro status. They scored big wins against major programs like Revo, Damage, and Impact and followed up with another strong showing at World Cup. Suddenly, LVL is looking like a possible contender in the pro division and it's thanks to strong coaching from Robbie Goldsmith and inspired play by their roster.
Columbus LVL has suddenly emerged onto the professional scene after having one of the worst professional starts of any franchise in the leagues history. They capped off their rookie season in the NXL in 2020 in the bottom six of the league and played poorly throughout the year. They came into 2021 with expectations as a potential candidate to be relegated from the division. They opened the season with a last place finish, followed by a 19th place in Philadelphia. Just as the rest of the paintball world was writing them off, they broke out in Chicago, refusing to cede their pro status. They scored big wins against major programs like Revo, Damage, and Impact and followed up with another strong showing at World Cup. Suddenly, LVL is looking like a possible contender in the pro division and it's thanks to strong coaching from Robbie Goldsmith and inspired play by their roster.
Virginia NRG Elite
Season Ranking: 13th, Highest Placing: 7th Place, NXL Windy City Major.
After joining the pro league in 2020, NRG Elite had all the makings of a great NXL franchise; good ownership, resources to succeed, and a core roster of dedicated players. Things didn't go as planned. They trudged through the COVID shortened year with two poor performances, and after no major roster changes, much of the same was expected in 2021. However, the program spent the season putting up solid matches against top programs, and building an on-field chemistry that cemented their status in the pro league. While they still have work to do, they look to be a program on the verge of becoming a consistent Sunday team, especially with the commitment and dedication to succeed from their owner, Alan Bufton. Except big things from this determined program in 2022.
After joining the pro league in 2020, NRG Elite had all the makings of a great NXL franchise; good ownership, resources to succeed, and a core roster of dedicated players. Things didn't go as planned. They trudged through the COVID shortened year with two poor performances, and after no major roster changes, much of the same was expected in 2021. However, the program spent the season putting up solid matches against top programs, and building an on-field chemistry that cemented their status in the pro league. While they still have work to do, they look to be a program on the verge of becoming a consistent Sunday team, especially with the commitment and dedication to succeed from their owner, Alan Bufton. Except big things from this determined program in 2022.
San Diego Aftermath
Season Ranking: 8th, Highest Placing: 4th Place, NXL Mid-Atlantic Major.
San Diego Aftermath is a storied franchise, dating back through nearly two decades of professional play. Some of the best players in the world, like Alex Goldman, Marcello Margott, and Raney Stanczak got their start on this team. But, over the last few seasons, they have played poorly while under the ownership of John Ianucchi. At the end of 2020, after finishing nearly dead last, team founder Mike Hinman had enough. Mike reacquired the team he created and retooled the roster with top players like Joe Barrett and Thomas Kim. Under his elite coaching and leadership, the program instantly emerged as a dangerous team, placing 9th at the season opener, and then grabbing a top four finish in Philadelphia. They continued to play well and closed the season as a top-8 team, playing an incredible methodical and grinding style under the watchful and demanding eye of Mike Hinman and Jerry Van Cleve. This program should continue to play well next season and could be a potential Team of the Year in 2022.
San Diego Aftermath is a storied franchise, dating back through nearly two decades of professional play. Some of the best players in the world, like Alex Goldman, Marcello Margott, and Raney Stanczak got their start on this team. But, over the last few seasons, they have played poorly while under the ownership of John Ianucchi. At the end of 2020, after finishing nearly dead last, team founder Mike Hinman had enough. Mike reacquired the team he created and retooled the roster with top players like Joe Barrett and Thomas Kim. Under his elite coaching and leadership, the program instantly emerged as a dangerous team, placing 9th at the season opener, and then grabbing a top four finish in Philadelphia. They continued to play well and closed the season as a top-8 team, playing an incredible methodical and grinding style under the watchful and demanding eye of Mike Hinman and Jerry Van Cleve. This program should continue to play well next season and could be a potential Team of the Year in 2022.
MLKings
Season Ranking: 17th, Highest Placing: 10th Place, NXL World Cup.
The MLKings are, at first glance, a bit of an anomaly on this list. They were one of the lowest ranked teams on the season, but in terms of breaking out from expectations, they are one of the best examples in the pro division. The MLKings came into 2021 looking like the prime candidate to be relegated at the end of the season; they spent the last two years as one of the lowest ranked teams in the World. But, as the 2021 season went on, they continued to improve and find gameplans that fit their roster talent. They capped off the season with their first Sunday appearance in Franchise history behind inspired play from players like Greg Montalvo, Kyle Barry, and Luis Betancourt, and they suddenly look like a team that may surprise in 2022. Owner Charlie Givens is dedicated to creating a top professional program and he is beginning to see his labors pay off after the breakout finish to the year from this program.
The MLKings are, at first glance, a bit of an anomaly on this list. They were one of the lowest ranked teams on the season, but in terms of breaking out from expectations, they are one of the best examples in the pro division. The MLKings came into 2021 looking like the prime candidate to be relegated at the end of the season; they spent the last two years as one of the lowest ranked teams in the World. But, as the 2021 season went on, they continued to improve and find gameplans that fit their roster talent. They capped off the season with their first Sunday appearance in Franchise history behind inspired play from players like Greg Montalvo, Kyle Barry, and Luis Betancourt, and they suddenly look like a team that may surprise in 2022. Owner Charlie Givens is dedicated to creating a top professional program and he is beginning to see his labors pay off after the breakout finish to the year from this program.