News Release

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Senior Male Tops the World Dairy Expo Youth Fitting Contest 

MADISON, WIS – Youth across North America participated in the 2024 World Dairy Expo^® Youth Fitting Contest on Saturday, September 28 at the Alliant Energy Center. There were 41 participants registered, representing 12 U.S. states and one Canadian province. Contestants, ages 13-21, were given one hour to prepare their animal to be showring ready. Josh Karn, Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and Dawson Nickels, Watertown, Wisconsin, judged the intermediate and senior divisions, respectively.

After topping the Senior Male Division, Kyle Welk, Peachbottom, Pennsylvania, was named the Overall Fitter. In addition to receiving a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Images Custom Embroidery, Welk also received an Overall Fitter Award in memory of Michael Heath, which included a $1,000 cash award and an engraved walnut plaque from the friends and family of Michael Heath.

Welk and Alexis Blankenberg, Platteville, Wisconsin, received clippers sponsored by Clipper Parts & Repair for topping the Senior Male and Senior Female Divisions, respectively. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wisconsin and Jayse Pudwill, Dakota, Illinois were selected as the top contestants from the Intermediate Female and Intermediate Male Divisions, respectively. They received cash prizes for winning their divisions.

The top five finishers from each division were awarded neck ribbons with medallions and cash prizes, courtesy of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, the John Klossner family and St. Jacobs ABC.

Placings for the WDE Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:

Intermediate Female Division:

1. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
2. Kamrie Mauer, Brownton, Minn.
3. Jazlynn Olson, Galesville, Wis.
4. Emma Roeben, Portsmouth, R.I.

Intermediate Male Division:

1. Jayse Pudwill, Dakota, Ill.
2. Braeden Bechel, Elmwood, Wis.
3. Ethan Staudinger, Reedsville, Wis.
4. Benny Uhe, Footville, Wis.
5. Devin Coleman, Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Senior Female Division:

1. Alexis Blankenberg, Platteville, Wis.
2. Jamie Gibbs, Rollingstone, Minn.
3. Olivia Jennrich, New Glarus, Wis.
4. Hannah Gingerich, Shippensburg, Pa.
5. Kayla Visser, Hutchinson, Minn.

Senior Male Division:

1. Kyle Welk, Peachbottom, Pa.
2. Kolby Stoltzfus, East Earl, Pa.
3. Payton Calvert, Cuba City, Wis.
4. Josh Brander, Rockwood, Ontario, Canada
5. Evan Cooper, Owego, N.Y.

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the global dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event will return to Madison, Wis. October 1-4, 2024, where dairy producers near and far can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.

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