Willie Places Second at Collegiate Nationals

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State’s famed mascot and No. 1 fan Willie Wildcat placed second at the 2009 United Spirit Association Collegiate Nationals mascot competition, held March 29-30 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

“We could not be more pleased with Willie’s performance and involvement with the USA Collegiate Nationals,” said K-State Head Cheer Coach Dani Ruoff. “We are fortunate to have one of the best mascots in the country that is not only a crowd favorite at events, but also is such a popular figure in the community.”

Willie, who qualified for the finals of the contest on March 29, finished just .74 points out of first place after collecting the highest score in the final day of competition. The winner was declared by adding scores from both days of competition as Long Beach State took home top overall honors.

All mascots in the event were required to perform a live skit, with no video, and were judged on creativity, props and crowd involvement.

Aside from the competition itself, Willie and fellow contestants visited the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and spent time with local children who are battling cancer.

– k-statesports.com –