TACOMA, Wash. – Senior football player Max Larson and his pet hamster Pancake have been declared by fan vote as the winner of the Second Annual Luteville Bracket Bonanza after defeating softball's Mari Foster on Friday in the championship. 
 
"Honestly it was a blast," said Larson.  "It kind of felt like an election and it was fun to see so many people get involved.  Family members, teammates and even friends I hadn't seen in years were all in!"
 
Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, each student-athlete was given the opportunity to take a photo that reflected their personality as they were getting their headshot for the upcoming year.  With the 32-photo bracket, each of PLU's 19 varsity sports had at least one representative and fans would vote on each "matchup" via Facebook or Instagram stories.
 
"Pancake was my little buddy all throughout quarantine, so I liked to bring him places so he lived the fullest hamster life," said Larson.  "I thought it'd be funny since so many people had seen Pancake on Snapchat to give him some more publicity too."
 
When asked for comment regarding the championship, Pancake respectfully declined. 
 
Larson joins teammate Chase Rhinelander as the first two champions of the annual event, making it back-to-back for the Lute football program. 
 
"We have a committed group of fans, alumni and families to PLU football that love this culture and team," said Larson.  "They want to see these young adults succeed in the big and small things on and off the field."