JJ Jayhawk, the feathered mascot for amestown Community College, has advanced to the third round of voting for “Mascot Madness,” an annual tradition that brings State University of New York mascots together in a decade-old competition to determine the most popular mascot.

Similar to the annual NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, 32 mascots were sectioned into four regions. The third round of voting began Friday and will continue through 3 p.m. Tuesday at suny.edu/mascotmadness. The field of mascots stands at eight contenders with SUNY JCC’s mascot competing with Ellsworth Eagle from SUNY Brockport, whose enrollment is nearly 7,000 students.

Jayhawk defeated Perseus the Panther of Purchase College by a comfortable margin in the second round.

“Thank you to everyone for continuing to vote,” said Jayhawk. “We are proving that the JCC community should not be underestimated. We are a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience, and force to be reckoned with.”

According to his bio, Jayhawk enjoys spending time on the roof of the Science Center on the Jamestown Campus to take a break from the hustle and bustle of college life and enjoy the rooftop garden and greenhouse. He recently read “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and hopes to watch the movie soon. Jayhawk built his nest near JCC in 1950, when the college was founded and after decades of trying, earned the mascot position 11 years ago.

Voting breaks out as follows: Round 3: March 22-26; semifinals/final four: March 27-29; and finals: April 2-4

George Sisson, director of Athletics at JCC, hopes all JCC supporters keep voting through the weekend.

“JJ is not taking any rest after cheering his swim and dive teams on at the NJCAA championships and coming home with a national title,” Sisson said. “Jayhawks are on a roll. Let’s put some Jamestown air under JJ’s wings and help him soar to the next round!”

To follow the contests and vote for JJ Jayhawk, visit suny.edu/mascotmadness.