Chason Sachs turned in another strong showing in this year’s USA Mullet Championships, placing third in the teen division.

The Wellsville resident finished behind Mason Padilla of Fremont, Calif., and Logan Lease of Gore, Okla. in the contest, which also awarded the best mullet in the kids and adult divisions. The announcement was made by former NFL defensive end Jared Allen on the Pat McAfee Show on YouTube on Aug. 29.

Chason was in first place after the first round of the contest, which began in July and ended on Aug. 21. He finished with 2,077 votes and raised $400.76, which will go towards Allen’s Home For Wounded Warriors.

“He has talked with other people about his dedication to it,” said Gina Sachs, Chason’s mother. “He might be a little disappointed, but he’s not down and out. It makes him want to try the next thing that much harder. He keeps a good spirit about everything.”

Chason competed in the USA Mullet Championships for the third time. He placed 13th out of over 1,000 competitors in the kids division last year and finished in the top 100 the year before.

The announcement of the winners was originally scheduled for Aug. 28, but was moved to the following day so contestants can watch it on nationwide television. Chason, who is an eighth-grade student at St. Joseph Catholic School in Martinsburg, watched the announcement at school.

“This was a much cooler way to announce it,” Gina said.

Gina said her son was really looking forward to seeing his name being announced regardless of the finish.

“He wanted to skip school today,” Gina said.

Allen, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, is the commissioner of the USA Mullet Championships. During the announcement, he gave praise to Chason for his participation.

“They gave him a good shout out,” Gina said. “I felt like they really honored him well about his commitment and being in it the last couple of years.”

Like Chason, Mason and Logan competed in the mullet contest for the third time. Mason finished with 3,793 votes and won a $1,000 cash prize for his victory. Logan had 2,519 votes.

“The ones who were in the top did very well,” Gina said. “I know the younger kids group gets more attention since there are more kids and they’re cuter. But I feel like the teen division goes pretty hard.”

Allen said out of the three divisions of the mullet contest, the teen division is the most exciting.

“The teen mullet is near and dear to my heart because the teenage years are the most awkward years,” Allen said.

The USA Mullet Championships originated in 2020. Also that year, Chason decided to grow a mullet after he was unable to get a haircut due to the COVID-19 pandemic that closed barber shops and many other businesses. Harrison Bader, a former St. Louis Cardinals baseball player who now plays for the New York Mets, inspired Chason to get the mullet.

Gina said Chason’s mullet grew several inches from last year. His mullet nickname is (Still) Fully Committed.

“I know that he definitely wants to keep his hair until eighth-grade graduation,” Gina said. “But since he didn’t win (this year), I’m wondering if he wanted to do it again next year.”

Chason also plays baseball. This summer, he helped the East Central Starz – a team which was made of players from Montgomery City, Wellsville and Martinsburg – win the Lincoln County Athletic Association 13-and-under division title.