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MORGANTOWN -- An Elkins native will have the opportunity to wear buckskins and carry a musket as he competes as a finalist to become the next West Virginia University Mountaineer mascot.
Elijah Jones, a 2020 graduate from Elkins High School, will participate in a cheer-off during the WVU men's basketball game versus the University of Central Florida on Feb. 20 to determine the next Mountaineer.
"Hearing my name as the next Mountaineer would mean so much to me that I might just pass out," Jones said in a press release. "I love meeting people, and the opportunity to build and foster community in a divided world while shining a positive light on my state and University would bring me the greatest joy."
Jones is a member of the WVU Honors College and is a senior chemical engineering major, minoring in Spanish and computer science. Jones serves as a WVU Presidential Student Ambassador, a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and guided trips student leader for Adventure WV. He is also a 2020 Bucklew Scholar.
The finalists for the Mountaineer role was selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students based on an essay and interview, the finalists will be judged on their performances and interactions with the crowd as they lead traditional game cheers.
The selection committee will announce the winner during the WVU men's basketball game versus Texas Tech on March 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Coliseum.
The other 2024-25 Mountaineer mascot finalists are:
• Braden Adkins, who served as the 2023-24 alternate Mountaineer mascot, is a junior majoring in economics from Richwood.
• Cade Kincaid, a member of the Honors College from Fayetteville, is a sophomore accounting and finance major with a minor in business data analytics.
• Justin Waybright, from Parkersburg, is a junior majoring in mining engineering.