News Release

Sunday, September 29, 2024

CONTACT: Lisa Behnke, Communications Manager, lbehnke@wdexpo.com
                   Jenna Langrehr, Communications Specialist, jlangrehr@wdexpo.com
PHONE:      608-224-6455

 New York Claims Victory in the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

MADISON, WIS. – New York took the top honors in the 102nd National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo®. The New York team was comprised of Elise Donlick, Alexis Schultz, Mason Ziemba and Alysha Kuhn, coached by Dr. Douglas Waterman. The second-overall team, by a margin of 6 points, was the Florida team of Jaylee Heijkoop, Aubrey Cook and Abigail Michnowicz coached by Gene Holcomb. Wisconsin, Maryland and Indiana finished out the top five teams, respectively.

Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:

Top Ten Teams – Overall:

  1. New York, 2057, team members: Elise Donlick, Alexis Schultz, Mason Ziemba and Alysha Kuhn, coached by Dr. Douglas Waterman.
  2. Florida, 2051, team members: Jaylee Heijkoop, Aubrey Cook and Abigail Michnowicz coached by Gene Holcomb.
  3. Wisconsin, 2005, team members: Stella Kamm, Sophia Kamm, Lilly Peterson and Makayla Weyer coached by Ellis Frank.
  4. Maryland, 2004, team members: Emily Fritz, Brennan King, Stephen King and Claire Minde, coached by Brian Schnebly, Ryan Haines.
  5. Indiana, 2002, team members: Carly Linnemeier, Karaline Schuman and Lorin Miller, coached by Skylar Campbell.
  6. Pennsylvania, 1998, team members: Hannah King, Makenna Mase, Brianna Walker and Logan Irwin, coached by Chad Dechow.
  7. Kentucky, 1996, team members: Hunter King, Evan Waller, Greyson Humes and Scarlettann Williams, coached by Larissa Tucker, Bland Baird.
  8. Ohio, 1994, team members: Aubree Topp, Wyatt Schlauch, Lillian Finke and Jacob Borchers, coached by Sherry Smith.
  9. Maine, 1991, team members: Alexis Landry, Amelia Ross and Jason Bagley, coached by Ashley Martin.
  10. Iowa, 1974, team members: Anders Lovstuen, Kelsey Timp, Hanna Vagts and Mara Lovstuen, coached by Blake Courtney.

Top Ten Individuals – Overall:

  1. Alexis Schultz, 702, New York
  2. Jaylee Heijkoop, 699, Florida
  3. Hunter King, 695, Kentucky
  4. Mason Ziemba, 690, New York
  5. Emily Fritz, 684, Maryland
  6. Hannah King, 683, Pennsylvania
  7. Carly Linnemeier, 683, Indiana
  8. Aubrey Cook, 682, Florida
  9. Klaudia Biel, 681, Minnesota
  10. Wyatt Schlauch, 680, Ohio

Top Ten Teams – Reasons:

  1. New York, 691, coached by Dr. Douglas Waterman.
  2. Wisconsin, 664, coached by Ellis Frank.
  3. Florida, 660, coached by Gene Holcomb.
  4. Maryland, 645, coached by Brian Schnebly, Ryan Haines.
  5. Indiana, 637, coached by Skylar Campbell.
  6. Iowa, 633, coached by Blake Courtney.
  7. Ohio, 632, coached by Sherry Smith.
  8. Kentucky, 631, coached by Larissa Tucker and Bland Baird.
  9. Pennsylvania, 629, coached by Chad Dechow.
  10. Illinois, 628, coached by Derek Nolan.

Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:

  1. Alexis Schultz, 237, New York
  2. Mason Ziemba, 228, New York
  3. Lilly Peterson, 228, Wisconsin
  4. Jaylee Heijkoop, 226, Florida
  5. Emily Fritz, 226, Maryland
  6. Elsie Donlick, 226, New York
  7. Hunter King, 225, Kentucky
  8. Aubrey Cook, 222, Florida
  9. Sophia Kamm, 221, Wisconsin
  10. Hannah King, 220, Pennsylvania

The National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, Channel Seed; Silver Sponsors, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative and Bio-Vet, Inc.; and additional supporters including American Guernsey Association Youth Fund, Ayars Family Farm, Dave Badula, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Associaion, Maureen DeBruin, David P. Dickson Trust, E-Zee Milking Equipment, LLC., Fight Bac, Randy Geiger Memorial Fund, Saloah Hageman, The Hartford Livestock Department, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Judy Majeskie, Maryland Brown Swiss Association, National Dairy Shrine, Select Sires, Inc., Semex/Boviteq, Trans Ova Genetics, Dr. Douglas Waterman, Hoard’s Dairyman, Vita Plus Corporation, STgenetics and St. Jacobs ABC.

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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