Briar Jumpers, Tomcats, and Valkyries: Kentucky high school mascots face off to be crowned nation’s best

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — It’s an innovative bracket-style tournament where the defining factor for victory isn’t the players’ performance but their team’s mascot.

On Thursday, April 24, The64, an interactive voting platform, introduced the inaugural National High School Mascot Tournament.

“From fierce Volcanoes, Horned Toads, and mighty Spartans, the competition starts with two regions containing 64 mascots nationwide, including three from Kentucky, that will battle for Best High School Mascot and a cash prize for their school. And it’s not just about the schools; fans from anywhere can vote and rally behind their favorite mascot,” The64 wrote.

According to a news release, three Kentucky schools are in the running for America’s favorite mascot.

• Ashland Paul Blazer School (Ashland)—Tomcats
• Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)—Valkyries
• Somerset High School (Somerset)—Briar Jumpers

“This mascot rivalry isn’t just a competition—it’s a national celebration of school pride and community spirit,” said Justin Woo, founder of The64. “We’re giving schools and their fans a chance to showcase their spirit in a fun, interactive way while engaging in some friendly competition.”

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up here.
• Vote in each head-to-head matchup as the bracket narrows.
• The tournament runs for 18 days, with new matchups every 3 days.

More information and the latest tournament standings can be found here.