2025 USA Mullet Championships Kids' Division Champion, Colton Goll
Photo Credit: Brittany Eichmann
Colton Goll, a fifth grade student at Phillips Elementary School and the son of Joel Goll and Kendra Shipley, heard about a kid from Wisconsin winning a mullet competition a few years ago, which was a competition that also raised funds for a charity known as Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors. That inspired Colton to start growing a mullet in August 2022 and enter the competition in June 2025. He named his mullet "The Coltonator." His hair is naturally curly, but when it is pulled straight, it measures about eleven inches.
Colton had to submit pictures of himself sporting his mullet, including a front, back, and side view, plus he had to share a brief story about his mullet. After that, it was all about fundraising and getting votes on the official website.
Colton had four big fundraisers. "My first fundraiser was at the 4th of July parade. I sold pulled pork sandwiches. Then I went to Hodag and different campsites this summer and handed out free koozies with my picture on them for votes and received some donations doing that." He said he had another pulled pork fundraiser at a bar and grill in Phillips, and he also went to Beef-A-Rama in Minocqua, handing out koozies asking for more votes.
"Raising money for Wounded Warriors that my supporters helped me raise. That makes me feel good," is what Colton said was his favorite part and proudest moment of the competition. Colton raised $3,847.01 for the charity. In the kids', teens', and adults' divisions of the competition, over $175,000 was raised by all the participants.
Colton had to survive a few rounds of the competition. Each time the field of participants narrowed until there were only 25 remaining in the kids' division. As the only kid left in this year's competition who is from Wisconsin, when it was announced that Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Kansas were in the top three, he and his family started to realize Colton may have won. He said the fact that he was in first place in regard to votes for so long also made him feel like he probably had won.
In the final round, Colton walked away with 2,069 votes. Slade Smith from Oklahoma got 1,758 votes and took second place, and Gabriel Giefer from Kansas got 874 votes and a third-place finish. Hearing his name announced while at his house with family and friends, Colton said, "I was super excited!"
Colton's judges' score was 143, edging out second place by two points. "I remember judging this kid. He was on point; he was crushing it," said Jared Allen, one of the judges and the founder of the charity.
The votes from the community, family, and friends greatly helped put Colton in the winning spotlight. His mom, Kendra, promoted him on social media so that people knew where to vote online and where his fundraising events would be held. Colton said, "I want to thank every single person who voted, shared, and donated to the Wounded Warriors and for my fundraisers who also donated the food and prizes to help me raise money. Thank you from the Coltonator!"
Colton's parents are also thankful to the community and proud of their son. Colton's dad, Joel, said that he "can't believe the amazing power and support of such a small town; first, the support following my accident, and now this being a national thing really shows the power of a small town." He added, "I am extremely proud of all Colton's effort and drive stepping outside of his comfort zone and totally rocking his mullet and crushing the competition." Colton's mom, Kendra, said, "I am so very proud of him! He has come out of his shell in such a small time. He raised money for an amazing cause, and it's not just the mullet, he talked to adults, set up his fundraisers, and made his own videos. The growth he has made is such a huge accomplishment in itself. I know I am biased, but he truly is a great kid! He has the biggest heart and such a fun personality; I am so proud to be his mama! Seeing his excitement when they said a kid from Wisconsin was in the top three is something I will forever hold as a memory. He is proud of his country, proud of all who served our country, and proud of being from Wisconsin and being a small-town kid who put our small town on the map! He is a true American and I, again, could not be more proud."
With the pride of the win came a $10,000 cash prize. Colton plans to save some and spend some. "I want to buy an old truck and make it into a rat rod with my stepdad, [Dave Shipley], for when I can drive, and the rest of it I want to put in my savings for college."
Colton sees more mullet-related plans in his future. He may enter the same competition again next year. Plus, he would like to make his own donation. "Someday, not anytime soon, I would like to donate it to Wigs for Kids for kids with cancer. Then I can help them, too," he shared.
Photo Credit: Brittany Eichmann
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