Vote for best high school mascot in America, Round 1: Kenmare Honkers vs. Hutto Hippos

Kenmare (North Dakota) is the 7 seed and Hutto (Texas) is the 10 seed in the East region

The bracket is set for SBLive Sports' 2024 NCAA Tournament-style contest to determine the best high school mascot in America, and Round 1 is underway.

Vote below for the No. 7-seeded Kenmare Honkers (North Dakota) or the No. 10-seeded Hutto Hippos (Texas) to advance to the second round, where the winner will face either the Tarpon Springs Spongers (Florida) or Marion Swamp Foxes (South Carolina).

The Honkers earned a 7 seed by winning last fall's North Dakota contest with 126 votes, while the Hippos won Texas with 13 votes to earn a 10 seed.

Follow along: National Mascot Tournament 2024 Bracket

Voting for this matchup will conclude Wednesday, March 20, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

7. Kenmare Honkers (North Dakota)

Canada geese are commonly referred to as "honkers" for the loud sound they make, and there are large populations of the birds in Kenmare. Instead of trying to drive the birds away, the city immortalized them with the highest honor: representing the town as the high school's mascot. 

10. Hutto Hippos (Texas)

Local legend traces the origins of the Hutto hippo to 1915, when a circus train carrying animals stopped to fill up with water. The hippo escaped, walked to Cottonwood Creek and stayed there so long that it delayed the train until its handlers were able to get it out.

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-- Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports