Obezags Move to Next Round of Top Mascot Contest

UPDATE (6:30 p.m. March 14)—The Key School Obezags swiftly defeated the Campers, Crabbers, Golden Elks and Wildecats to be declared the state's best.

They weren't competing in athletics or even academics—they were all representing the state of Maryland in USA Today's contest to decide America's top mascot.

Patch previously reported that Key's mascot/nickname, the obezag, is an anagram of gazebo—a distinctive structure found on the school's campus located on Hillsmere Drive.

After winning in the first round for the state of Maryland with nearly 4,000 votes, Key moves on to the second round.

Just as the Obezags were close to declaring victory on Thursday, USA Today extended the voting period for the regional round of voting due to the volume of voting and wanting to ensure there were no "technical difficulties." The regional round will resume Monday at 3 p.m. and two additional days will be added to the regional round, which now ends at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The six finalists will advance to the national round, which begins at 11 a.m. on March 21, and ends at 3 p.m. on March 27. They will be competing for the chance to be named the best high school sports mascot in America and the school will receive $2,000 for its athletic department.

Click here for more information and to vote.

See more:

• Is Key School's Obezag 'Most Unique Mascot?'