The Dawson County Elite Showmanship Contest took place following the completion of the 2022 County Fair livestock shows. Winning first place and a belt buckle was Spencer Walahoski, son of Jared and Kristine Walahoski of Overton. There is no Elite Showmanship Contest at the Nebraska State Fair.
Finishing in second place was Emma Peterson, daughter of Paul and Shannon Peterson of Gothenburg. Emma also received a belt buckle.
The top two Senior Showmanship contestants from the feeder calf, beef, sheep, and swine shows came together to determine an elite showman. All eight contestants took a livestock knowledge test and then had their showmanship skills with swine, sheep, and beef, evaluated by judge Holly Heckendorf, Agriculture Education major at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Contestants were: Helene Keiser, and Emma Peterson, all of Gothenburg; Spencer Walahoski, Overton; Jacie Wolfinger and Jaelin Wolfinger, Lexington; Eli Boryca and Gracie Schneider, Cozad; and Gage Schledewitz, Oconto.
