Hank the Haybaler vaults to 2nd round of national mascot competition before exit

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After being crowned the best high school mascot in the west earlier this year, Hollister High School’s Hank the Haybaler advanced to the second round of a national competition before bowing to Hutto High School’s Hank the Hippo in October.

Hank, who has been the official mascot of the high school since 1952, defeated Hank the Hippo, out of Hutto, Texas, in the round of four in the West competition in May, but Hank the Hippo got another chance in the national competition.

Hollister High Student Activities Director Laurie Chavez said the school was awarded $640 for winning the The Best High School Mascot in the West honor in May. According to a school newsletter, it was competing for $6,400 in the Best High School Mascot in America competition. 

“This tournament brought together not only our school community but also the entire town of Hollister,” Chavez said. “Everyone rallied behind Hank, and that overwhelming support helped him advance all the way to the National Tournament.”

The national competition is set up into four brackets, Divisions 1 through 4, with each finalist facing each other until there is a tournament champion. The competition was based on online voting. 

In the first round of the Division 1 national bracket, Hank defeated Crater High School’s Cosmo, from Central Point, Oregon, who went out to win the bracket. The champion was Central High School’s Karl, from Rapid City, South Dakota. 

“The pride and unity this experience created for Hollister High will last far beyond the competition,” Chavez said.

The competition is put on by The 64, an online voting platform that hosts a myriad of contests ranging from best pizzas to the best haunted destinations. 

In the regional competition that took place from April to May, Hank defeated a bull, a maniac, a pendragon and an abominable snowman. 

Among the high schools in the area that participated in the regional competition were Coalinga High’s Horned Toads and De La Salle High’s Spartan from Concord.

BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.