Moments after he was named Penn State's new Nittany Lion mascot, Clint Gyory jumped into the indoor Multi-Sport Complex's bleachers to hug his mom.
"Way to go, bud," Gyory's father, Thomas, told him. "I knew you could do it."
Gyory (freshman-business management) will begin training with current mascot James Sheep as soon as possible, said Curtis White, mascot trainer and head cheerleading coach.
White said Gyory is the first freshman mascot named in the last 15 years and might even be the only freshman to be named mascot in the history of Penn State.
"This is unbelievably awesome," Gyory said. "I didn't think I had a chance."
Sheep said Gyory was the strongest candidate, noting Gyory's gymnastics background and break-dancing skills, which he showed in his audition.
Gyory said he's done gymnastics since he was 8 years old and was his high school mascot. He said it would be "so cool to represent the school" and noted the honor that comes with being the iconic Nittany Lion.
"This is his dream," Gyory's mom, Maureen, said.
Gyory went through an application and interview process before his final audition for the mascot position, he said. At the audition, he performed in front of a panel of judges made up of various coaches and administrators involved with Penn State cheerleading, including White and Sheep -- and a crowd of about 150 people.
Dressed as the Nittany Lion, Gyory performed a James Bond skit during which he rescued a Joe Paterno look-a-like and a Penn State cheerleader from the Notre Dame mascot and Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis. Gyory flipped, danced and roared as he drew laughs and cheers from the audience.
About 10 other candidates made it to the final audition for the position.
Gyory's sister and grandparents also attended his final audition. His grandfather, Rudolf Gyory, said he was "thrilled to death" for his grandson.
"He's a good kid," Gyory's grandmother, Esther Gyory, added. "He's my grandson."
