Overton's Parker Walahoski wins Elite Showman at Dawson County Fair

LEXINGTON – The Dawson County Elite Showmanship Contest took place following the completion of the 2023 County Fair livestock shows earlier this week.

Winning first place and a belt buckle was Parker Walahoski, son of Jared & Kris Walahoski of Overton. He also earned other prizes donated by the Elite Showmanship Contest sponsors.

Finishing in second place was Helene Keiser, daughter of Joe & Carol Keiser of Gothenburg. Helene also received a belt buckle and some other prizes.

The top two Senior Showmanship contestants from the feeder calf, beef, sheep, and swine shows determined the elite showman.

Helene Keiser, Gothenburg; was presented with a belt buckle by Taryn Vonderschmidt, Farnam; for earning second place in the Elite Showmanship Contest at the 2023 Dawson County Fair. Photo credit: Dawson County Extension

All eight contestants took a livestock knowledge test and then had their showmanship skills with swine, sheep, and beef, evaluated by livestock judge Holly Heckendorf of Wellington, Colorado.

Contestants were Helene Keiser, Gothenburg and Lexi Johnson, Gothenburg for feeder calf, Lexington’s Jaelin and Jacie Wolfinger for beef, Overton’s Spencer and Parker Walahoski for sheep, and Gothenburg’s Emma Peterson and Lexington’s Greta Rickertsen for swine.

The 4-H’ers who participated in the Meats, Skillathon, and Livestock Judging teams at the Premier Animal Science Event held in June were recognized along with teams from previous years. Both the Meats and Skillathon teams earn a spot to compete at the national competitions later in the year.

Helene Keiser, Gothenburg; Lexi Johnson, Gothenburg; Jaelin Wolfinger, Lexington; Jacie Wolfinger, Lexington; Spencer Walahoski, Overton; Parker Walahoski, Overton; Emma Peterson, Gothenburg; and Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; were the top two Senior Showmanship contestants from the feeder calf, beef, sheep and swine shows and earned their spots in the Elite Showmanship contest at the 2023 Dawson County Fair. Photo credit: Dawson County Extension

Judge Heckendorf commented on the quality of the competition and the depth of knowledge they have about livestock and the livestock industry. Elite Showman Committee members were Taryn Vonderschmidt of Farnam, and Paul and Shannon Peterson of Gothenburg.

Sponsors included: Maline Seed & Fence, Gothenburg; Beattie Family Farms, Sumner; Peak Performance Nutrition Plus, LLC, Lexington; Andersen Ag Services, Inc., K Farms, Gothenburg; Eastside Animal Center, Gothenburg; HAR Transportation Inc., Lexington; Tyson, Lexington; Paulsen Inc., Cozad; Caraway Red Agnus Ranch, Lexington; Dayspring Bank, Gothenburg; Farm Credit Services of America; Laird Feed, Gothenburg; MRK Truck Washout & Transportation, Lexington; 4+ Feeders, Lexington; and Homestead Bank, Lexington.