As they might say on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” you can throw out the record books when the Cavemen meet the Dinos. Or something like that.
Weird high school team nicknames abound in sport-lovin’ America. While the Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education, with its C.A.P.E. Crusaders, no longer exists, plenty more live on in gridiron glory, such as the Poca Dots, Hoopeston Cornjerkers, Hickman Kewpies, Cario Syrupmakers, Polo Marcos and Cabden Appleknockers.
Utah’s contributions to the list of lore include:
- The Cavemen of American Fork High, named after nearby Timpanogos Cave.
- The Beetdiggers of Jordan High, because of the prominence of the sugar beet industry in the area.
- The Fighting Scots of Ben Lomond High, located in an area where many Scots settled.
- The Royals of Roy High, among schools where alliteration reigns.
- The Darts of Davis High, with a name derived from a legendary running back’s ability to “dart” downfield.
- The Dinos of Carbon High, due to the proliferation of dinosaur fossils in the area.
- The Rabbits of Delta High, who sometimes win by a hare.
- The Flyers of Dixie High, named after the 1928 basketball team’s ability to “fly” on the court.
- The Buckaroos of Monticello High, named for the Spanish word “vaquero,” meaning “cowboy.”
- The Dons of Spanish Fork High, which is the Spanish word for “nobleman” or “knight.”