Marietta College junior Drew Martin ’27 has claimed the Division III championship in the Collegiate GeoGuessr League, a new international competition in which students identify real-world locations using Google Street View. Martin is the first Marietta student to compete in the league and now the league’s first Division III winner.
The Collegiate GeoGuessr League tests competitors’ geography knowledge, observation skills, and quick decision-making abilities. The competition requires a foundational knowledge of geography, regional characteristics, and the ability to identify subtle visual clues that distinguish one location from another. Players are placed in randomized locations and must guess their position as accurately as possible in a short amount of time. Analyzing visual clues ranging from terrain and signage to sunlight and infrastructure, players earn points based on how close their guesses are to the actual location. The collegiate league was established this year by top GeoGuessr players and college students, and it now includes competitors from across the world. All matches take place online.
Martin, a computer science major and member of Marietta’s Esports team, first discovered GeoGuessr in 2020 through YouTube creator Rainbolt. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the game when a friend informed him of the competitive collegiate league. Throughout the fall semester, he trained with his coach, Evelyn Lapierre of Quebec, Canada. She worked with Martin to develop strategies and hone his skills by practicing different game modes, playing against each other, and creating videos for him to review. Martin credits Lapierre for her commitment to his growth, a key part of his development.
GeoGuessr demands an eye for detail, as success often depends on recognizing features including landscape, utility poles, flags, and languages. Martin’s coursework in computer science also played a role in his success. He says the problem-solving and analytical mindset he has built at Marietta helped him make quick, evidence-based decisions. This mindset, shaped by both Martin’s training and academic work, helped to distinguish subtle geographic features that separate one region from another.
Representing Marietta College on a global stage came with its own pressure. Martin expressed that it was initially intimidating, but it made his ultimate win even more meaningful. He competed against schools including Purdue University, Georgia Tech, Binghamton University, the University of Washington, as well as several international teams.
“The championship was intense,” Martin said. “I had to beat two Georgia Tech students, come back from the loser’s bracket, and win five sets in a row. I played for five hours straight.”
Dr. Matthew Williamson, associate professor of computer science and director of Esports, praised Martin’s achievement, noting that it reflects his determination.
“Drew’s international title is the product of countless hours spent sharpening his geographic knowledge and critical thinking skills. What impresses me is his ability to take in complex information and make confident, accurate decisions in a matter of seconds,” said Dr. Williamson. “Even when rounds didn’t fall in his favor, he stayed composed and persistent. This championship is a reflection of his commitment, and we’re proud of everything he’s done to reach this moment.”
Looking ahead, Martin plans to continue competing in the Collegiate GeoGuessr League. He will move up to Division II when the next season begins in January 2026. He will continue working with Lapierre to refine his skills for a field of higher-level competitors.
“You really can overcome a challenge if you practice a lot. I really did progress and improve a lot this semester,” said Martin. “Anything you put your mind to, you can succeed.”
Marietta College celebrates Martin’s accomplishment as a testament to the power of persistence, curiosity, and skill that define its students. His success reflects the strength and confidence Pioneers build when they are empowered to rise to new challenges, whether in the classroom, in competition, or on a global stage. As the College continues its mission to prepare students for meaningful lives and careers, Martin’s achievement becomes part of its legacy.