New Martinsville native Trey Hinrichs was named last night (Feb. 27) as West Virginia Universitys 2002-03 Mountaineer mascot.

WVU s Mountaineer Selection Committee announced the senior psychology/counseling major as the new Mountaineer during a brief ceremony at the WVU -Georgetown mens basketball game.

“The selection process this year has been remarkably competitive,”said Andrew Cogar, former Mountaineer and committee chairman.”The extraordinary quality of the candidates made the choice difficult.”

Hinrichs is a trombone player and four-year member of”The Pride of West Virginia”Mountaineer Marching Band.

“We (the selection committee) are confident that Trey will be an outstanding ambassador for the University and the State,”Cogar commented.”He is a very articulate and enthusiastic young man, and a devoted servant of the community.”

Matt See, a sophomore public relations major from Romney, will serve as the Mountaineer alternate, a mascot who will work mostly when WVU has two conflicting events or when Hinrichs is unable to attend.

Out of 12 applicants, four selected candidates participated in a”cheer off”at the WVU -Virginia Tech game on Feb 13. Each candidate took turns donning the traditional buckskin and long rifle, fired up the crowd with traditional cheers and chants.

The Mountaineer Selection Committee is comprised of six students and four faculty/staff members.