News Release
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Minnesota Rises to the Top in the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
MADISON, WIS. – Minnesota took the top honors in the 101st National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo®. The Minnesota team members Calvin Benrud, Natalie Clemenson, Evelyn Scheffler and Caryn Miklas were coached by Tony Scheffler, Maizie Scheffler and Emily Mollenhauer. The second-overall team, by a margin of 9 points, was the Missouri team of Molly Archer, Case Melzer, Libby Shaver and Logan Archer coached by Karla Deaver and Ted Probert. Oregon, Florida and Ohio finished out the top five teams, respectively.
Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:
Top Ten Teams – Overall:
- Minnesota, 2106, team members: Calvin Benrud, Natalie Clemenson, Evelyn Scheffler and Caryn Miklas, coached by Tony Scheffler, Maizie Scheffler and Emily Mollenhauer.
- Missouri, 2097, team members: Molly Archer, Case Melzer, Libby Shaver and Logan Archer coached by Karla Deaver and Ted Probert.
- Oregon, 2069, team members: Clancey Krahn, Logan Lancaster and Peyton Rawe coached by Jim Krahn.
- Florida, 2063, team members: Jenna Larson, Johanna Heijkoop, Rebecca Holcomb and Luke Larson coached by Gene Holcomb.
- Ohio, 2045, team members: Jacob Gilbert, Lauren Homan and Olivia Finke coached by Sherry Smith.
- Wisconsin, 2043, team members: Jacob Harbaugh, Logan Harbaugh, Hailey Zernicke and Ellie Nygren coached by Jay Jauquet.
- New York, 2031, team members: Annika Donlick, Justin Wolfe, Matthew Richenberg and William Andrew coached by Douglas Waterman.
- Michigan, 2009, team members: Landon Thelen, Chloe Steiner, Olivia Black and Lydia Deters coached by Joe Domecq, Sarah Black and Kirby Krogstad.
- Pennsylvania, 1992, team members: Ainsley Sellers, Brooke Walker, AJ Wanner and Adam Ballard coached by Chad Dechow.
- Kentucky, 1986, team members: Aaron Alcorn, Ty Jones, Jackson Tobbe and Ryann Truax coached by Larissa Tucker and Bland Baird.
Top Ten Individuals – Overall:
- Natalie Clemenson, 712, Minnesota
- Johanna Heijkoop, 709, Florida
- Evelyn Scheffler, 707, Minnesota
- Case Melzer, 705, Missouri
- Clancey Krahn, 700, Oregon
- Molly Archer, 700, Missouri
- Logan Harbaugh, 698, Wisconsin
- Chloe Steiner, 694, Michigan
- Olivia Finke, 694, Ohio
- Libby Shaver, 692, Missouri
Top Ten Teams – Reasons:
- Missouri, 689, coached by Karla Deaver and Ted Probert.
- Florida, 682, coached by Gene Holcomb.
- Wisconsin, 681, coached by Jay Jauquet.
- Minnesota, 676, coached by Tony Scheffler, Maizie Scheffler and Emily Mollenhauer.
- Oregon, 661, coached by Jim Krahn.
- New York, 651, coached by Douglas Waterman.
- Michigan, 637, coached by Joe Domecq, Sarah Black and Kirby Krogstad.
- Kentucky, 634, coached by Larissa Tucker and Bland Baird.
- Ohio, 631, coached by Sherry Smith.
- New Jersey, 610, coached by Amanda Wengryn.
Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:
- Logan Harbaugh, 236, Wisconsin
- Chloe Steiner, 234, Michigan
- Clancey Krahn, 233, Oregon
- Case Melzer, 232, Missouri
- Molly Archer, 232, Missouri
- Johanna Heijkoop, 230, Florida
- Natalie Clemenson, 228, Minnesota
- Jenna Larson, 228, Florida
- Annika Donlick, 227, New York
- Evelyn Sheffler, 226, Minnesota
The National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, Channel Seed; Silver Sponsor, Bio-Vet, Inc.; and additional supporters including Hoard’s Dairyman, International Protein Sires, Select Sires, Inc., St. Jacobs ABC, STgenetics, Trans Ova Genetics and Vita Plus Corporation.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The global dairy industry will return to Madison, Wis. for the 55th event, October 2-7, 2022, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Admission tickets to WDE can be purchased at worlddairyexpo.com. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Spotify, Instagram or YouTube for more information
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