All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Students vying to be the next Mountaineer Mascot will compete in cheer-off

Mountaineer Mascot Finalists (in order of appearance, left to right), Hunter Ayers, Connor Capron, Colson Glover and Brooke Ashby. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger)

Four students who are eager to represent West Virginia University and their home state as the next Mountaineer Mascot will compete in a cheer-off during the men’s basketball game vs. Oklahoma at 4 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 29) in the WVU Coliseum.

Selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students based on an essay and interview, the finalists will be judged on their performance and interaction as they lead the crowd in traditional game day cheers.

The West Virginia natives come from a variety of academic backgrounds and share a passion for service, a commitment to extracurricular activities and the Mountaineer spirit.

The 2020-21 Mountaineer Mascot finalists are:

Brooke Ashby, from Mannington, is a junior communication sciences and disorders major minoring in psychology. She serves as the vice president of Autism Speaks U and is an active member of the Mountaineer Maniacs and Alpha Omicron Pi, where she has held various leadership positions. Ashby has completed more than 150 service hours at WVU Medicine as a NICU cuddler, student volunteer in the oncology unit and a four-year term as the Monti Bear mascot. She also served as the Husky mascot while a student at North Marion High School.

“I have wanted to be the Mountaineer for as long as I can remember and I can’t imagine a better way to represent the 1.8 million people of my beloved state,” Ashby said. “I would be incredibly humbled and grateful to give back to the place that has given me so much.”

Hunter Ayers, from Moorefield, is a senior communications studies major with an emphasis in organizational and interpersonal communications. He serves as a member of the Mountaineer Maniacs, Lambda Phi Eta and the Undergraduate Communication Association. Ayers has been on the President’s and Dean’s lists and is the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. He is also a former member of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program and volunteers his time to the McCoy’s Grand Theater and Museum in Moorefield.

“Being chosen as the next Mountaineer Mascot would be a dream come true,” Ayers said. “I could not think of a better way to demonstrate my immense pride for WVU and the great state of West Virginia.”

Christopher “Connor” Capron, from Sutton, is a sophomore music therapy major minoring in Appalachian music. He is a member of the WVU Marching Band, WVU Bluegrass Band and the Men’s Choir. Capron is also a member of the Student Music Therapy Association and Kappa Kappa Psi. He volunteers his time to the Mountaineer Food Bank and serves as a volunteer through his hometown church to assist with Impact Week, a week-long summer event that promotes community-wide service projects in Braxton County.

“Being selected as the Mountaineer would be an outstanding achievement as a West Virginian and I would be sure to uphold the position to its fullest potential in order to make the great state of West Virginia proud,” Capron said.

Colson Glover, a member of the Honors College from Lewisburg, is a sophomore neuroscience major minoring in wildlife and fisheries resources. He serves as an undergraduate researcher with the School of Medicine and a tutor for student-athletes and in the Department of Biology. Glover is also an active member of the WVU Pre-Med Club and volunteers his time to WVU Medicine Children’s and trail clean up at the Core Arboretum. He is the recipient of the PROMISE Scholarship and High School Student Body Presidents Scholarship.

“I am a proud West Virginian who has ‘Old Gold and Blue’ in my DNA,” Glover said. “There would be no bigger honor than for me to serve my state and university while showing the world why West Virginia is termed ‘Almost Heaven’”

The selection committee will announce the winner during the WVU men’s basketball game vs. Baylor on March 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Waggy wins 1600 meters for Bucs in final home meet of the year

Senior Jack Waggy won the 1600 meters in 4:32.92 during the Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers’ final home track meet, where the team earned 56 points to place fifth out of seven teams.

Track and Field Lady Bucs run fifth at home meet

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs finished fifth out of seven teams at their final home track and field meet of the season, highlighted by third-place finishes from Chloe Lewis and Rylen Carlyle.

B-U tennis teams get swept by Lincoln

The Buckhannon-Upshur boys’ and girls’ tennis teams each lost 5-2 to Lincoln, despite strong performances from Jeremiah Jeffries, Cate O’Neill, and the No. 2 doubles pairs.

Local Rotary club gift equips sheriff’s office, city police with portable defibrillators

The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur donated four portable AEDs to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and Buckhannon Police Department, aiming to improve emergency cardiac response and increase survival rates in the community.

Man arrested during investigation into allegations that he paid for sexual acts with marijuana

Charles Wingfield, 68, was arrested on multiple charges after police allegedly found marijuana and firearms during a search of his residence.

West Virginia Wesleyan inducts 26 new members into Omicron Delta Kappa

West Virginia Wesleyan College inducted 26 students, faculty, and staff into its Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society during its 61st annual ceremony, recognizing academic achievement and campus leadership across diverse disciplines.

Gloria Jean (Powers) Husk

Gloria Jean (Powers) Husk, an author, genealogist, and beloved member of her community, died at age 80 in Carrabelle, FL, and requested her ashes be scattered with her husband’s on Dog Island.

Elmer Karl Cross

Elmer Karl Cross, 94, a retired Mon Power foreman and avid outdoorsman from Peeltree, died April 21, 2025, leaving behind his wife of 75 years, a large family, and a legacy of community involvement.

Rocky Wayne White

Rocky Wayne White, an oil and gas driller known for his laughter and guitar talent, passed away April 23, 2025, survived by children, grandchildren, family, and remembered fondly by those who knew him.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Landon Marple and Becca Pastorius

Landon Marple and Becca Pastorius were named Hank Ellis All-Stars for their outstanding performances in baseball and softball, respectively, leading their Buckhannon-Upshur teams with impressive hitting, pitching, and run production.

Softball Lady Bucs can’t hang on against Class AAAA No. 3 University in 13-5 loss

Despite an early lead and three RBIs from Alyssa Abel, Buckhannon-Upshur fell 13-5 to No. 3 University in six innings, hampered by four errors and a late-game offensive surge by the Hawks.

Baseball Bucs score three in the seventh to down Grafton, 7-4, fall to Morgantown by a 12-2 score

The Buckhannon-Upshur baseball team rallied with three runs in the seventh inning to beat Grafton 7-4 on Monday, but then suffered a 12-2 mercy-rule loss to Morgantown the following day.