News Release

Friday, October 7, 2016

CONTACT: Lisa Behnke, Communications Manager, lbehnke@wdexpo.com
                   Jenna Langrehr, Communications Specialist, jlangrehr@wdexpo.com
PHONE:      608-224-6455

Nearly 400 Compete in 2016 WDE Youth Showmanship Contest

MADISON, WIS. – A total of 393 youth competed in the 2016 World Dairy Expo® Youth Showmanship Contest on Thursday, October 6. Youth showmen from around the globe competed for top showmanship honors in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions. Taking top honors in the Junior division was Natalie Roe from Monticello, Wisconsin; the Intermediate division was won by Savannah Crack, from Richmond, Québec; and lastly Lars Zeldenrijk, from Mount Elgin, Ontario clenched the Senior division. The top ten winners received neck medallions and a cash prize. The first place winner of each division received a special award; the Junior division winner received the W. Terry Howard award, the Intermediate division winner received the Howard Voegeli award, and the Senior divison winner received the Keith King award. Each division winner also received a custom embroidered jacket, sponsored by FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

Dr. Lucy Middleton from Wawne, Hull England, Stephanie Warner- Hastings, Ontario Canada and Jerome Meyer of Viroqua, Wisconsin, placed the Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions, respectively.

Top ten youth winners of each division are as follows:

Juniors (Ages 9-12):

1. Natalie Roe, Monticello, Wis.

2. Jacob Harbaugh, Marion, Wis.

3. Kolton Crack, Richmond, Qué

4. Haley Ronnebaum, Earlville, Iowa

5. Delana Erbsen, Lanark, Ill.

6. Xavier Labbe, St-Lambert-De-Lauzon, Qué

7. Wyatt Zehr, Graymont, Ill.

8. Colton Hartman, St. Thomas, Pa.

9. Aaliyah Borchert, Auburndale, Wis.

10. Amelia Stone, New Palestine, Ind.

Intermediate (Ages 13-16):

1. Savannah, Crack, Richmond, Qué

2. Cally Finley, Woodinville, Ont.

3. Taylor Vander Meulen, Brighton, Ont.

4. Dawson Nickels, Watertown, Wis.

5. Hanna Dellaire, Rockwood, Ont.

6. Maude Labbe, St-Lambert-De-Lauzon, Que

7. Kurtis Frischknecht, Teeswater, Ont.

8. Mason Mazzaro, Williamsfield, Ohio

9. Ashley Smith, Hickson , Ont.

10. DeannaGould, North Brookfield, Mass.

Senior (Ages 17-20):

1. Lars Zeldenrijk, Mount Elgin, Ont.

2. Megan Rauen, Farley, Iowa

3. Karlee Ketelboeter, Dane, Wis.

4. Katelyn Neff, Cochranton, Pa..

5. Josh  Karn, Woodstock, Ont.

6. Olivia Brandenburg, Fort Atkinson, Wis.

7. Laura Deklein, Mossley, Ont.

8. Regina Pozzi, Petaluma, Calif.

9. Rieke Eggers, Papendorf, Germany

10. Paul Grulke, Mayville, Wis.

The generous support from sponsors makes the World Dairy Expo Youth Showmanship Contest possible. This year’s sponsors included: E-Zee Milking Equipment, LLC, Masters Choice Hybrids, MVE Chart, Andis Company, Double S Liquid Feed Services, Inc., The Wisconsin State Farmer, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative and Ayrshire Breeders Association.

Recognized as the meeting place for the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo attracts more than 70,000 attendees from over 90 countries to Madison, Wis. each year. The annual event will take place October 4–8, 2016, with the theme of “Celebrate 50!” to commemorate its golden anniversary. Visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@WDExpo or #Celebrate50) for more information. 

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Note to Editors:  High-resolution photo is available upon request from kschmitt@wdexpo.com