Final project: Austin Bowles

Austin Bowles, a 21-year-old strategic communications junior, is also known by another name: Pistol Pete.

Bowles unwraps the head of Pistol Pete before an appearance. The head itself weighs 45 lbs.

These spurs are only one element in an elaborate costume that includes a white button-down shirt, black jeans, orange cowboy boots, a leather vest, chaps, a neckerchief and a special Pistol Pete belt buckle. At one of Bowles' first events as Pete last fall, an elderly woman in a motorized scooter ran over one of his spurs and punctured a tire.

Bowles' name is written inside Pete's head next to others who have worn it before him.

Becoming Pete involved learning how to communicate without using his voice. Bowles gives a  thumbs up to let OSU baseball player Vince Wheeland know that he has enough sunflower seeds.

Bowles reviews a promo for Cowboy Baseball with videographer Ryan Jones, an assistant coach and his daughter. The finished video can be found on YouTube.

Bowles is one of two students selected to portray Pete for the 2012 - 2013 school year. This year's other mascot is Dillon Craig, pictured with Bowles at cheer practice.

Bowles takes a seat at cheer practice between routines.

Pete's role in cheer routines is simple: "Act spirited and stay out of the way." Above, Bowles imitates a cheer move at a cheerleading showcase shortly before nationals.

Bowles competes on OSU's Large Co-Ed Cheer team, which won the National Cheerleaders Association Division 1A National Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla. on April 12.

Bowles interacts with one of "Pistol Pete's Partners," Aiden, at a special event before a Cowboy Baseball game.

Being Pete can be exhausting, especially when taking seemingly endless pictures with kids who need  Pete to crouch down on their level.

Bowles looks on as someone else shoulders Pete's head. Bowles will "re-Pete" for his senior year next year.