The Sports Illustrated annual National Mascot Tournament is under way and the Moorhead Spuds are hoping to win the title of top mascot in the United States!
The tournament, which started at the same time as the NCAA’s basketball March Madness, pits mascots from around the country in one-on-one matchups against winners or runners-up from other states. Similar to March Madness, the National Mascot Tournament bracket started with 68 schools from around the country. In each matchup, the mascot with the most votes advances.
Moorhead reached the tournament by winning top mascot honors for Minnesota; the Spuds went up against nine other schools from around the state and captured a whopping 98% of the vote. Sports Illustrated ranked the Spuds #18 overall, giving them a #5 seed in their section of the bracket.
In the opening round of the national tournament, Moorhead defeated the Yuma Criminals, the champions of Arizona, with 99% of the vote. They then knocked off North Dakota champion Valley City with 82% of the vote.
(UPDATE) Now in the Sweet 16, with a chance to advance to the Elite 8, the Spuds are facing off against the Kansas champion and #1 overall seed Hesston Swathers. Vote now to help bring the Spuds one step closer to being named the nation’s top mascot!
If Moorhead is able to upset Hesston and advance to the national quarterfinals, they’ll face either Mellen (Wis.) or Bryn Mawr (Md.). Follow the entire national bracket on Sports Illustrated’s high school sports website.