The University of Montana’s Monte won the Mascot Challenge Saturday afternoon at the Fire Festival held at Pioneer Square in Seattle, Wash. Monte, the 2002-03 and 2004-05 Capital One Mascot of the Year, was competing against over a dozen other mascots from collegiate and professional teams at the annual contest.

Competing on the Kids’ Challenge obstacle course, Monte posted a perfect score of 30 to defeat Cool Bird from the Seattle Thunderbirds, Rhubarb from the Tacoma Rainiers and mascots from Washington, Oregon, Washington State, Gonzaga, Boise State and Eastern Washington.

The annual Fire Festival began over 30 years ago and is regarded as one of Seattle’s best neighborhood festivals.