Q: This high school mascot is named after a specific piece of farm equipment that's also manufactured in this central Kansas town. Name the mascot and the Kansas high school to which it belongs.
A: Swathers in Hesston, Kan.
The Hesston Swathers take their name from the farm implement that's still made in their central Kansas town. A swather is sort of like a combine, but different. Here's what the Merriam-Webster dictionary has to say: "A swather is a harvesting machine that cuts and windrows grain and seed crops; also: a mower attachment that windrows the swath."
Yes, "windrows the swath." Did you get all that? It's safe to say that a swather cuts through crops and mows things down, just like the Hesston Swathers hope to cut through the competition and mow down their opponents in the world of sports and academics.
In 1947, a man named Lyle Yost founded the Hesston Manufacturing Company. Little did he know that one of his company's products would end up becoming one of the nation's coolest high school mascots - the Hesston Swathers! By choosing Swathers as their mascot, the central Kansas community pays homage to the company and product that put their community on the map!
Fun factoid: There are several Kansas high schools that sport unusual mascots, including the Fowler Goldbugs, Palco Roosters, Pratt Greenbacks and the St. John's Military Muleskinners (Salina).