Nail-biters. Upsets. Brackets busted. The month is upon us, and everyone knows about it.

March Mammal Madness is here, a time where science-enthusiasts and sports fans unite. March Mammal Madness has been in full swing, and has been a tradition of science students at Badin for a few years now.

Mrs. Breetz, biology teacher and March Mammal Madness enthusiast, said, “I think it was 2016 when I first filled out my bracket.”

There’s a lot of thought the goes into her selections, Breetz revealed, “I do some Googling of animal websites and some more researching.”

Sometimes however, the process isn’t as scientific.

“Sometimes I show my kids pictures and let them pick,” Breetz said.

Mrs. Long, another annual competitor in March Mammal Madness circuit, has another way to make her selections.

Long said, “The strategy of random selection and a little bit of experience. I know that cats always go down.”

March Mammal Madness is a lot of competitive fun, but bracket battles can get heated. One rivalry is between Breetz and Long.

“The rivalry began that first year I filled one out. It started with a bet. If her bracket beat mine, my next test would be open note,” Breetz said.

Breetz feels good about her bracket selections this year.

Breetz said, “I feel very confident about my winners.”

In the 2019 edition of the rivalry, Mrs. Long has taken the lead, but Breetz is not even a little bit worried.

Breetz said, “Everyone loves the underdog, the comeback kid.”

Long doesn’t have much to say about being ahead, as she said, “I just point to my bracket and BOOM, it speaks for itself.”

Although the friendly competition is fun, that is not what Breetz loves most about March Mammal Madness.

“What I like most about it is it helps keep this dreary time of year better and adds energy in the classroom until spring break,” Breetz said.