As she strutted down the runway wearing a jean jacket, Patch was named Drake University's Beautiful Bulldog contest winner.
A 2-year-old English bulldog from Pennsylvania won the top prize Monday night over 28 other entries from six different states. Drake's mascot is the bulldog, and the contest kicks off the Drake Relays later this week. A crowd of spectators cheered when Patch ambled through a hoop on the runway, giving her entry a boost. Jennifer Hinton and Joel Kornder of Johnston, Iowa, said they worked on the hoop routine for months.
Having moved to Des Moines this past summer, I knew I had to enter Patch," Hinton said. "She is the epitome of a bulldog, and we are so proud of her."
Patch won the Drake Relays and became the university's bulldog representative after trading in her denim for a satin cape and crown.
There were nine rescue dogs competing, including Patch.