Goldy Gopher has again lived up to his name and came out on top among college mascots at the 2013 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando.

Goldy was first in the competition at Walt Disney World in Orlando over the weekend, with several other Big Ten mascots making the top 10. Wisconsin's Bucky Badger was third, Michigan State's Sparty was sixth, Ohio State's Brutus Buckeye was seventh and Iowa's Herky the Hawk was eighth.

This is the second time in the past three years that the buck-toothed, always-smiling Minnesota mascot has claimed the national title.

Minnesota also won two other divisions this year, jazz and pom. It's the fourth consecutive year that Minnesota has won those divisions.

Goldy, a student of undisclosed identity, not only appears at sporting events, but carries out his high-energy antics at school functions, birthday parties and weddings.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482