Young cattlemen among the BEST

MARYSVILLE, Ohio – More than 400 people celebrated the 2006-2007 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) program as it wrapped up June 9 with its annual awards banquet at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
More than 430 head of cattle were entered in the BEST program by more than 300 youth participants. The 2006-2007 BEST program featured 13 sanctioned shows and wove its way across the state.
King honored. John King received the Friend of the BEST Program award. King has served as chairman of the program’s committee for the past several years and stepped down as chairman at the end of this year.
The Hot Shot Classic Show Committee was recognized for organizing the 2006-2007 Outstanding BEST Show. The recipient was chosen from participant surveys at the conclusion of the season.
The Cedarville Hot Shot 4-H Club and the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association team up to organize and run the winning show.
Exhibitor awards. The following were recognized with awards:
Angus. Grand champion heifer, Lindsey Grimes, Highland County; reserve champion heifer, Cassidy Ruff, Gallia County; grand champion steer, Stephanie Dickson, Morrow County; reserve champion steer, Will Harsh, Delaware County.
All other breeds. Grand champion heifer, Lauren Grimes, Highland County; reserve champion heifer, Kelsey Sheeley, Highland County; grand champion steer, Alison Reed, Sandusky County; reserve champion steer, Nate Sherman, Morrow County.
Chianina. Grand champion heifer, Megan Hunt, Darke County; reserve champion heifer, Dwight Hamilton, Highland County; grand champion steer, Austin Trueblood, Highland County; reserve champion steer, Braden Henthorn, Washington County.
Crossbred. Grand champion heifer, Jessica Harsh, Delaware County; reserve champion heifer (tie), Jason Manning, Adams County, and Jairus Ward, Pike County; grand champion steer, Leah Geuy, Champaign County; reserve champion steer, Madison Clark, Miami County.
Hereford. Grand champion heifer, Denelle Billman, Tuscarawas County; reserve champion heifer, Courtney Levering, Morrow County; grand champion steer, Chase Sanders, Stark County; reserve champion steer, Denelle Billman, Tuscarawas County.
Limousin. Grand champion heifer, Megan Greenawalt, Highland County; reserve champion heifer, Hannah Williamson, Coshocton County.
Maine-Anjou. Grand champion high percentage heifer, Jacob D. Jones, Brown County; reserve champion high percentage heifer, Cameron Alexander, Clinton County; grand champion MaineTainer heifer, Janel Gilbert, Darke County; reserve champion MaineTainer heifer, Megan Hunt, Darke County; grand champion Maine-Anjou steer, Cory Wilt, Clark County; reserve champion Maine-Anjou steer, Andrew Castella, Wayne County.
Shorthorn. Grand champion heifer, Jesse Hoobler, Coshocton County; reserve champion heifer, Nikki Durban, Madison County; grand champion steer, Lance Utt, Portage County; reserve champion steer, Curtis Harsh, Delaware County; grand champion Appendix Shorthorn heifer, Victoria Trbovich, Carroll County; reserve champion Appendix Shorthorn heifer, Jenna Champer, Madison County; grand champion Appendix Shorthorn steer, Jessica Harsh, Delaware County; reserve champion Appendix Shorthorn steer, Dwight Hamilton, Highland County.
Simmental. Grand champion heifer, Clay Brown, Adams County; reserve champion heifer, Halee Allen, Highland County; grand champion steer, Ashley Winters, Morrow County; reserve champion steer, Louise Kline, Stark County.
Market heifers. Grand champion, Tyler Fielding, Delaware County; reserve champion, Trent Porginski, Warren County.
Bred and owned champions. Grand champion bred and owned heifer, Lindsey Grimes, Highland County, Angus; reserve champion bred and owned heifer, Megan Hunt, Darke County, Mainetainer; grand champion bred and owned steer, Denelle Billman, Tuscarawas County, Hereford; reserve champion bred and owned steer (tie), Tyler Clark, Miami County, Maine-Anjou, and Carli Gasser, Wayne County, Appendix Shorthorn.
Showmanship winners. Champion beginner showman, Tyler Clark, Miami County; reserve champion beginner showman, Anna Kiesewetter, Miami County; champion junior showman, Lauren Grimes, Highland County; reserve champion junior showman, Cody Shafer, Preble County; champion intermediate showman, Lindsey Grimes, Highland County; reserve champion intermediate showman, Megan Greenawalt, Highland County; champion senior showman, Jesse Hoobler, Coshocton County; reserve champion senior showman, Kayla Alexander, Clinton County.
Scholarships. Two BEST participants each received a $1,500 college scholarship. These scholarships are based on academics and extracurricular activities and not on show results.
R.J. Blankenship and Dwight Hamilton, both of Highland County, received the scholarships. Blankenship is the son of Rob and Sonya Blankenship. Hamilton is the son of Dwight and Bertha Hamilton.
Trailer winner. Cody Vance of Morrow County won a year’s use of an 8-by-24 foot livestock trailer complete with BEST logo detailing, donated by Eby Trailer.
Participants received an entry into the drawing for every animal that was nominated for the program and for every animal that they showed at each show throughout the season.
Essay, photo contests. Winners in the essay contest included: beginner division: Karee Neff of Ross County; junior division, Courtney Plaisted of Perry County; intermediate, Bailey Harsh of Delaware County.
Photography contest winners included: beginner division, Morgan Fackler of Richland County; junior, Lauren Grimes of Highland County; intermediate, Lindsey Voge of Preble County; senior, Travis Russell of Shelby County.
The Editor’s Choice award went to Lauren Grimes and Lindsey Voge won the Editor’s Choice Honorable Mention Award. Steve Johnson of Pickaway County was also recognized as the Adult Division Winner.
New junior representatives for the 2007-2008 season will be Kayla Alexander, Clinton County; Dwight Hamilton, Highland County; and Bailey Harsh, Delaware County.