Parkersburg High School alum in the running to be the Mountaineer

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - A Parkersburg High School graduate is currently in the running to be the next West Virginia University Mountaineer.

Justin Waybright is currently in the running to become the official Mountaineer for the 2025-2026 school year. He is one of four finalists competing to don the buckskin suit.

He is a senior Mining Engineering major at West Virginia University. He is currently the alternate Mountaineer for the school year. He has attended 40 different events, meeting fans and promoting school spirit. As the alternate mascot, he would fill in for the official mascot while he was away for football games.

Justin said his time as the alternate mascot has helped him prepare for the competition.

“Maybe they should choose me just because, I mean, I have the experience in the buckskins. I know everyone’s kind of nervous the first time they put them on, that’s for sure. I mean, especially this year I’ll be using my kind of my own buckskins that I’ve worn this past year as the alternate. So it kind of just gives me more sense of like a regular feeling I guess I would say,” said Justin.

Justin will be competing against the other three finalists during a cheer off. They will show school spirit and show how well they work with the crowd. The cheer off will take place during the WVU Men’s Basketball game on Feb. 25 at 9 p.m.

The winner will be announced on March 8 during the men’s basketball game at the West Virginia University Coliseum.

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