By John Mesh
The Hutchinson Tribune coverage area and the state of Kansas arguably have the best collection of team names in the United States.
Wichita State Shockers. Pittsburg State Gorillas (Solomon High School also has Gorillas). Washburn Ichabods. Kansas Jayhawks. Newman University Jets.
Hutchinson Blue Dragons. Hutchinson High Salthawks. Hutchinson Trinity Celtics. Inman Teutons. Hesston Swathers. Sterling Black Bears.
Teutons are Germanic warriors who ought the Romans in France in the 2nd century B.C. Teuton also is a term used for German people in general.
Southwestern University Moundbuilders. Bethany College Swedes and Smoky Valley High School Vikings in Lindsborg. University of St. Mary Spires. Evangel University Valor. Bethel College Threshers.
Missouri Western State University Griffons. Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos. Central Missouri State Mules. Northeastern State University (Talehquah, Okla.) RiverHawks.
Hutchinson Community College aren’t the only Dragons in Kansas. Seven Kansas high schools also have Dragons (Belle Plaine, Downs, Halstead, Pittsburg, Utica, Valley Falls and Wilson). Pittsburg High School’s Dragons are Purple.
Butler Community College has Grizzlies. Highland has Scotties. Independence has Pirates. Dodge City CC has Conquistadors. The Devils are Red at Allen County and Blue at Kansas City Kansas CC. Fort Scott and Moberly, Mo., CC have Greyhounds.
Garden City CC has the Broncbusters (which auto correct or spellchecker repeatedly tries to correct on my computer as Broncobusters).
Some of the most popular mascot names in Kansas high schools include Eagles (24 schools), Bulldogs (23 schools) and Wildcats (23 schools). There are two schools with Golden Eagles as team names and two schools use Bullpups.
Historically, Native American-themed mascots have been prevalent in Kansas high schools. In 2020, “Indians” was reported by MaxPreps as the fourth-most popular mascot in Kansas (tied with Panthers).
However, the use of such mascots remains a controversial topic, with discussions about their impact and cultural sensitivity continuing to be a part of the conversation surrounding high school sports in Kansas and nationwide.
Tigers and Trojans are tied with 13, followed by Lions 12, Mustangs 12, Cardinals 10, Vikings 9, Warriors 9, Chargers 8, Cougars 8 and Buffaloes 8.
There are Muleskinners (St. John’s Military Academy), Buccaneers (Edna), Crimson Tornadoes (Eureka), Mariners (Stanley), Outlaws (South Sumner County), Rockets (Dwight and Rose Hill), Mascot (Quenemo) and Kats (Chase).
Twelve Kansas high schools have team names that no other American high school uses: Blu-Jays (Pleasanton), Golden Buffaloes (Wichita Southeast), Greenbacks (Pratt), Junior Ravens (Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison), Kaws (Perry-Lecompton), Larks (Sublette), Muleskinners (St. John’s Military Academy), Red Aces (Bucklin), Ringnecks (Hill City), Salthawks (Hutchinson), Swathers (Hesston) and Teutons (Inman).
What’s in a name? That’s what makes Kansas unique.