Youth across North America participated in the 2023 World Dairy Expo® Youth Fitting Contest on Saturday, September 30 at the Alliant Energy Center. There were 43 participants registered, representing 10 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Contestants, ages 13-21, were given one hour to prepare their animal to be showring ready. Kaleb Kruse, Dyersville, Iowa, and Doug Nifong, Orfordville, Wis. judged the intermediate and senior divisions, respectively.
After topping the Senior Female Division, Savannah Crack, Richmond, Quebec, was named the Overall Fitter. In addition to receiving a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Images Custom Embroidery, Crack also received an Overall Fitter Award in memory of Michael Heath, which was a $500 cash award from the friends and family of Michael Heath.
Crack and Hayden Reichard, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, received clippers sponsored by Clipper Parts & Repair for topping the Senior Female and Senior Male Divisions, respectively. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wisconsin and Tyler Leuch, Waunakee, Wisconsin were selected as the top contestants from the Intermediate Female and Intermediate Male Divisions, respectively and received fitting mats presented by Mill Wheel Show Clinics for their achievements.
The top five finishers from each division were awarded neck ribbons with medallions and cash prizes, courtesy of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, the Klossner family, ABS Global (St. Jacobs ABC) and Mill Wheel Show Clinics.
Placings for the WDE Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:
Intermediate Female Division:
1. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
2. Hannah Gingerich, Shippensburg, Penn.
3. Lindsey Gibbs, Rollingstone, Minn.
4. Jazlynn Olson, Galesville, Wis.
5. Amelia Somers, Walton, N.Y.
Intermediate Male Division:
1. Tyler Leuch, Waunakee, Wis.
2. Carter Major, Lebanon, Tenn.
3. Matthew Winch, Fennimore, Wis.
4. Jayse Pudwill, Dakota, Ill.
5. Ethan Staudinger, Reedsville, Wis.
Senior Female Division:
1. Savannah Crack, Richmond, Quebec
2. Cassie Gebert, Wawaka, Ind.
3. Adhyn Schell, Lewiston, Minn.
4. Ellie Larson, Evansville, Wis.
5. Aisja Achenbach, Eastman, Wis.
Senior Male Division:
1. Hayden Reichard, Chambersburg, Penn.
2. Preston Welling, Paynesville, Minn.
3. Suton Paulson, Rockford, Ill.
4. Cadin Valentine, Thurmont, Md.
5. Keaton Phoenix, Uxbridge, Ontario