This year’s BEST program featured nine weekends of sanctioned shows held throughout the state. Over 700 youth participants showed 1,000 head of market animals and heifers throughout the season.
This year’s sponsoring partners were Ag-Pro Companies, Bob Evans Farms, Boyert Show Cattle, Diamond T Land and Cattle Co., Dickson Cattle Co., Jones Show Cattle, M.H. EBY, Inc., Performance Training Solutions, R.D. Jones Excavating, Ricer Equipment and Robbins Show Steers, 6R Farms and Shepard Cattle Company, Sullivan Supply, The Folks Printing, and Weaver Livestock.
BEST Committee
The OCA BEST program is coordinated through the volunteer leadership of the BEST Committee. Serving on the BEST Committee are Chairman – Shane Riley, Fayette County; Rob Calaway, Meigs County; Ian Gehret, Darke County; Lindsey Hall, Highland County; Sarah Hunker, Huron County; Chloe Lambert, Fayette County; Hannah Jarvis Miller, Greene County; Sally Puzacke, Tuscarawas County; Mckenzie Riley, Fayette County; Amber Shoemaker, Stark County; Linde Sutherly, Clark County; and Ryan Sorensen, Montgomery County;. During the BEST awards banquet, the new junior representatives for the 2026-27 season were announced. They are Natalie Brown, Pickaway County; Hailey Cornett, Highland County; Alexis May, Fayette County; Alexis Oda, Preble County; and Karissa Tredway, Warren County. Continuing for their second term are Kendall Bishop, Clark County; Derrin Myers, Lucas County; and Cora Monning, Preble County. Riley Burtchin, Wood County; Madi Dunham, Champaign County; and Brock Perry, Ottawa County; concluded their term as BEST Junior representatives at the year-end banquet.
Thanks to the program’s generous sponsors, many door prize giveaways and drawings were held. The hottest drawings were for the BEST trailer, the Buckeye Breeders Series (BBS) trailer (both trailers donated by M.H. EBY), and the John Deere Gator (donated by Ag-Pro). The winners of these prizes receive a full year’s use of the item. The following were this year’s winners:
BEST Trailer – Avery Heimerl, Licking County
BBS Trailer – Elly Castello, Belmont County
BBS Gator – Austin Hunker, Huron County
The following awards were presented to the OCA BEST youth exhibitors for their season-long accomplishments:
Character Traits Winners
OCA and Weaver Leather Livestock teamed up to recognize individuals that are exceptional leaders, no matter their age. Weaver sponsored the 2025-2026 BEST Character awards, highlighting Focus, Integrity, Patience and Respect. Any OCA member, BEST participant or their parents could nominate exhibitors for any of these traits. This year’s winners were:
Focus - Lydia Smith, Fairfield County
Integrity - Bristol Tipton, Harrison County \
Patience - Ella Elliott, Gallia County
Respect - Coy Ellington, Stark County
Youth Scholarships
BEST participants’ efforts in academics and extracurricular activities are also recognized through the BEST Scholarship program. This year four $1,000 scholarships were awarded:
Brock Perry, Ottawa County
Madelyn Good, Sandusky County
Kelsey Kaeser, Ashland County
Wyatt Osborn, Highland County
Photography Contest
This year’s photography contest had top-notch entries encompassing four divisions: BEST Shows and Activities, Landscapes, People, and Around the Farm. Three winners were awarded in each age division and an Editor’s Choice and Editor’s Choice Honorable Mention were selected from all submissions. The winners were as follows:
Beginner Division
1st Place Beginner – Sadie Rardin
2nd Place Beginner – Elyse Fennig
3rd Place Beginner – Elyse Fennig
Junior Division
1st Place Junior – Brooklyn Warner
2nd Place Junior – Addison Fennig
3rd Place Junior – Ava Oberschlake
Intermediate Division
1st Place Intermediate – Brooklynn Warner
2nd Place Intermediate – Alexis May
3rd Place Intermediate – Natalie Brown
Senior Division
1st Place Senior – Cathryn Swartz
2nd Place Senior – Isabel Hiles
3rd Place Senior – Alexandria Greene
Adult Division
1st Place Adult – Casey Ellington
2nd Place Adult – Casey Ellington
3rd Place Adult – Neilie Dimmerling
Heifer and Market Animal Champions
Market Animals
Angus
Champion Angus Steer – Natalie Williams, Union County
Reserve Champion Angus Steer – Carrie Gahler, Ottawa County
Charolais
Champion Charolais Steer – Taylor Wadsworth, Portage County
Reserve Champion Charolais Steer – Ashton Bain, Highland County
Chianina
Champion Chianina Steer – Addie Wilson, Harrison County
Reserve Champion Chianina Steer – Grace Sautter, Sandusky County
Hereford
Champion Hereford Steer – Hallie Clem, Clark County
Reserve Champion Hereford Steer – Jack Hart, Tuscarawas County
Maine-Anjou
Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Jacoby Lapp, Coshocton County
Reserve Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Kolten Barnhisel, Henry County
Third Overall – Faith Adams, Geauga County
Fourth Overall – Sydnee Hurst, Champaign County
Fifth Overall – Carter Gasser, Wayne County
Shorthorn
Champion Shorthorn Steer – Kennadie Porter, Muskingum County
Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer – Josie Ruffing, Medina County
ShorthornPlus
Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Jozie Beiser, Preble County
Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Rylee Pelegreen, Harrison County
Third Overall – Eliza Schrock, Trumbull County
Fourth Overall – Hunter McCombs, Hocking County
Fifth Overall – Bristol Tipton, Harrison County
Simmental
Champion Simmental Steer – Natalie Brown, Pickaway County
Reserve Champion Simmental Steer – Cora Monnig, Preble County
AOB
Champion AOB Steer – Addison Burnett, Geauga County
Reserve Champion AOB Steer – Kaylynn Cutter, Ashland County
Market Heifer
Champion Market Heifer – Josie Bowcott, Gallia County
Reserve Champion Market Heifer – Brayden Leckrone, Perry County
Third Overall Market Heifer- Riley Schindler, Defiance County
Fourth Overall Market Heifer - Paisley Allen, Clark County
Fifth Overall Market Heifer - Sydney Skinner, Washington County
Crossbred Steer
Champion Crossbred Steer – Caroline Rinkes, Jefferson County
Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer – Rees Toler, Gallia County
Third Overall – Jorja Morgan, Gallia County
Fourth Overall – Bria Correll, Perry County
Fifth Overall – Wyatt Osborn, Highland County
Sixth Overall – Keegan Woodruff, Ross County
Seventh Overall – Logan Burtchin, Wood County
Eighth Overall (Tie) – Bristol McDowell, Wood County / Korbin McIntire, Union County
Ninth Overall – Lucas Evers, Mercer County
Tenth Overall – Elawna Mohler, Perry County
Breeding Heifers
Angus
Champion Angus Heifer – Kinsley Moore, Ottawa County
Reserve Champion Angus Heifer – Lillian Owen, Williams County
Third Overall – Landon Moore, Fairfield County
Fourth Overall – Mason Harder, Sandusky County
Fifth Overall – Blake Herdman, Highland County
Charolais
Champion Charolais Heifer – Barrett Evans, Tuscarawas County
Reserve Champion Charolais Heifer – Joshua Blakeman, Jackson County
% Charolais
Champion % Charolais Heifer – Paisley McIntire, Union County
Reserve Champion % Charolais Heifer – Joshua Blakeman, Jackson County
Chianina
Champion Chianina Heifer – Madison Fisher, Perry County
Reserve Champion Chianina Heifer – Ava Oberschlake, Greene County
Chi Angus
Champion Chi Angus Heifer – Wyatt Anders, Greene County
Reserve Champion Chi Angus Heifer – Luke Jennings, Clermont County
Low % Chi
Champion Low % Chi Heifer – Brooklynn Warner, Belmont County
Reserve Champion Low % Chi Heifer – Kiera Moore, Ottawa County
Third Overall – Journey Reichley, Perry County
Fourth Overall – Laura Cutlip, Knox County
Fifth Overall (Tie) – Gus Montgomery, Licking County / Bodie Cooke, Gallia County
Hereford
Champion Hereford Heifer – Gaige Hall, Pickaway County
Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer – Coy Ellington, Stark County
Limousin/Lim-Flex
Champion Limousin Heifer – Dallie Sparks, Belmont County
Reserve Champion Limousin Heifer – Luke Strow, Wood County
High % Maine-Anjou
Champion – Caroline Rinkes, Jefferson County
Reserve – Blaine Evans, Tuscarawas County
Third – Brantley Baker, Monroe County
Fourth – Sydney Leasure, Monroe County
Fifth – Brody Bolen, Ashland County
MaineTainer
Champion – Sierra McMillen, Licking County
Reserve – Allie Isaly, Monroe County
Third – Stella Koehler, Fairfield County
Fourth – Dwight Hamilton, Highland County
Fifth – Natalee Eichorn, Morrow County
Maine Angus
Champion – Madison Fisher, Perry County
Reserve – Garrett Reusch, Medina County
Shorthorn
Champion – Campbell Shepard, Henry County
Reserve – Kennadie Porter, Muskingum County
Third – Callie Work, Washington County
Fourth – Karson Butcher, Knox County
Fifth – Gage Farrar, Jackson County
ShorthornPlus
Champion – Brooklynn Warner, Belmont County
Reserve – Allie Isaly, Monroe County
Third – Vivian Gibbs, Sandusky County
Fourth – Sadie Rardin, Mason County, WV
Fifth – Evelyn Koehler, Fairfield County
Purebred Simmental
Champion – Liam Beynon, Muskingum County
Reserve – Addison Fennig, Mercer County
Third – Brantley Baker, Monroe County
Fourth – Piper Shepard, Henry County
Fifth – Annabelle Berry, Licking County
% Simmental
Champion – Ella Elliott, Gallia County
Reserve – Elly Castello, Belmont County
Third – Avery Heimerl, Licking County
Fourth – Sadie Moore, Fairfield County
Fifth – Macy Stanley, Ross County
AOB
Champion – Rachel O’Reilly, Geauga County
Reserve – Emmy Gibbons, Monroe County
Crossbred Heifer
Champion – Josie Bowcott, Gallia County
Reserve – Cathryn Swartz, Hardin County
Third – Logan Bowcott, Gallia County
Fourth (Tie) – Logan Schroeder, Defiance County / Madelyn Good, Sandusky County
Fifth – Raegan Marcum, Athens County
BEST Bred & Owned Champions
Heifers
Angus
Champion – Griffin Gahler, Ottawa County
Reserve – Karlee Kasler, Athens County
% Charolais
Champion – Myles Toler, Gallia County
Reserve – Kaliegh Durst, Muskingum County
Chianina
Champion – Raegan Beneker, Butler County
Low % Chi
Champion – Reagan Burke, Meigs County
Reserve – Leah Weiser, Knox County
Hereford
Champion – Natalie Pitstick, Madison County
Reserve – Mason Love, Fairfield County
Limousin/Lim-Flex
Champion – Gage Farrar, Jackson County
High % Maine-Anjou
Champion – Brantley Baker, Monroe County
Reserve – Masen Jolliff, Hardin County
MaineTainer
Champion – Masen Jolliff, Hardin County
Reserve – Korbin McIntire, Union County
Maine Angus
Champion – McKenna Miller, Fairfield County
Shorthorn
Champion – Gage Farrar, Jackson County
Reserve – Claire Schroeder, Preble County
ShorthornPlus
Champion – Vivian Gibbs, Sandusky County
Reserve – Zarek Gibbs, Sandusky County
Purebred Simmental
Champion – Caiden Roberts, Guernsey County
% Simmental
Champion – Luke Smith, Fairfield County
Reserve – Porter Beck, Adams County
Steers
Hereford
Champion – Natalie Pitstick, Madison County
Reserve – Kaden Gardner, Preble County
Shorthorn
Champion – Bristol Tipton, Harrison County
ShorthornPlus
Champion – Bristol Tipton, Harrison County
BEST Showmanship Winners
Beginner
Champion Beginner Showman – Kiera Moore, Ottawa County
Reserve Beginner Showman – Karson Butcher, Knox County
Third Overall Beginner Showman – Dwight Hamilton, Highland County
Fourth Overall Beginner Showman – Beau Sautter, Sandusky County
Fifth Overall Beginner Showman – Josie Briceland, Columbiana County
Sixth Overall Beginner Showman – Greta Watterson, Mason County
Seventh Overall Beginner Showman – Lucas Evers, Mercer County
Eighth Overall Beginner Showman – Gabriella Habig, Monroe County
Ninth Overall Beginner Showman – Olivia Humphrey, Columbiana County
Tenth Overall Beginner Showman – Reed Miller, Wood County
Junior
Champion Junior Showman – Madison Fisher, Perry County
Reserve Champion Junior Showman – Kinsley Moore, Ottawa County
Third Overall Junior Showman – Josie Bowcott, Gallia County
Fourth Overall Junior Showman – Jillian Brown, Monroe County
Fifth Overall Junior Showman – Nora Watterson, Mason County
(TIE) Sixth Overall Junior Showman – Rylee Mullen, Coshocton County
(TIE) Sixth Overall Junior Showman – Brantley Baker, Monroe County
Seventh Overall Junior Showman – Maggie Sautter, Sandusky County
Eighth Overall Junior Showman – Jacoby Lapp, Coshocton County
Ninth Overall Junior Showman – Addison Fennig, Mercer County
(TIE) Tenth Overall Junior Showman – Taytum Skinner, Washington County
(TIE) Tenth Overall Junior Showman – Clayton Carr, Delaware County
Intermediate
Champion Intermediate Showman – Landon Moore, Fairfield County
Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman – Reid Bishop, Clark County
Third Overall Intermediate Showman – Kendall Bishop, Clark County
Fourth Overall Intermediate Showman – Ella Elliott, Gallia County
Fifth Overall Intermediate Showman – Jorja Morgan, Gallia County
Sixth Overall Intermediate Showman – Grace Sautter, Sandusky County
Seventh Overall Intermediate Showman – Lydia Smith, Fairfield County
Eighth Overall Intermediate Showman – Claire Kramer, Hancock County
Ninth Overall Intermediate Showman – Sydney Skinner, Washington County
Tenth Overall Intermediate Showman – Stella Koehler, Fairfield County
Senior
Champion Senior Showman – Derrin Myers, Lucas County
Reserve Champion Senior Showman – Journey Reichley, Perry County
Third Overall Senior Showman – Logan Schroeder, Defiance County
Fourth Overall Senior Showman – Larissa Fano, Mahoning County
Fifth Overall Senior Showman – Ashton Bain, Highland County
Sixth Overall Senior Showman – Laura Cutlip, Knox County
Seventh Overall Senior Showman – Sadie Moore, Fairfield County
Eighth Overall Senior Showman – Riley Schindler, Defiance County
Ninth Overall Senior Showman – Olivia Jones, Allen County
Tenth Overall Senior Showman – Cathryn Swartz, Hardin County
Buckeye Breeders Series Champions
The Buckeye Breeders Series (BBS) recognizes breeders and exhibitors who show cattle bred, born, and raised in Ohio.
HEIFERS
Angus Heifers
Champion – Landon Moore, Fairfield County Breeder: Ella Forni
Reserve Champion – Mason Harder, Sandusky County Breeder: Reed-King Cattle
Charolais Heifers
Champion – Joshua Blakeman, Jackson County Breeder: Johnson Show Cattle
Reserve Champion – Logan Chaplin, Monroe County Breeder: Kathy Lehman
% Charolais Heifers
Champion – Paisley McIntire, Union County Breeder: BuckleBack Cattle Ltd
Reserve Champion – Myles Toler, Gallia County Breeder: Myles Toler
Chianina Heifers
Champion – Ava Oberschlake, Greene County Breeder: CampbellCo Cattle
Reserve Champion – Nora Watterson, Mason County Breeder: Johnson Show Cattle
Chi Angus Heifers
Champion – Wyatt Anders, Greene County Breeder: Winegardner Show Cattle
Reserve Champion – Luke Jennings, Clermont County Breeder: HR Cattle Co
Low % Chi Heifers
Champion – Brooklynn Warner, Belmont County Breeder: Boyert Show Cattle
Reserve Champion – Laura Cutlip, Knox County Breeder: Bachman Farms
Hereford Heifers
Champion – Coy Ellington, Stark County Breeder: Pugh Central Station
Reserve Champion – Hailey Cornett, Highland County Breeder: Boyert Cattle
Limousin/Lim-Flex Heifers
Champion – Coy Ellington, Stark County Breeder: Sancic Family Farm
Reserve Champion – Grace Tuttle, Clark County Breeder: Campbell Co Cattle
High % Maine-Anjou Heifers
Champion – Caroline Rinkes, Jefferson County Breeder: Jones Show Cattle
Reserve Champion – Blaine Evans, Tuscarawas County Breeder: Austin Hunker
MaineTainer Heifers
Champion – Sierra McMillen, Licking County Breeder: Bachman Farms
Reserve Champion – Allie Isaly, Monroe County Breeder: McLaughlin Show Cattle
Maine Angus Heifers
Champion – Madison Fisher, Perry County Breeder: Beau Johnson
Reserve Champion – Garrett Reusch, Medina County Breeder: Trails End Farm
Shorthorn Heifers
Champion – Campbell Shepard, Henry County Breeder: Six R Farms
Reserve Champion – Kennadie Porter, Muskingum County Breeder: Lazy W Farm
ShorthornPlus Heifers
Champion – Allie Isaly, Monroe County Breeder: McLaughlin Show Cattle
Reserve Champion – Vivian Gibbs, Sandusky County Breeder: Vivian Gibbs
Purebred Simmental Heifers
Champion – Liam Beynon, Muskingum County Breeder: WCCO
Reserve Champion – Piper Shepard, Henry County Breeder: Jones Show Cattle
% Simmental Heifers
Champion – Ella Elliott, Gallia County Breeder: Clouse Family Farm
Reserve Champion – Avery Heimerl, Licking County Breeder: Bachman Farms
AOB Heifers
Champion – Andrew Zimmerman, Licking County Breeder: Dillon Red Genetics
MARKET ANIMALS
Angus Steers
Champion – Griffin Gahler, Ottawa County Breeder: Vince Untied / Highland Farms
Reserve Champion – Griffin Gahler, Ottawa County Breeder: Toussaint River Land and Cattle
Charolais Steers
Champion – Mason Wallace, Logan County Breeder: Levanderosa Farms
Chianina Steers
Champion – Kimber Cook, Pickaway County Breeder: Seth Vogel
Reserve Champion – Gage Billings, Crawford County Breeder: Jason Waldock
Hereford Steers
Champion – Jack Hart, Tuscarawas County Breeder: Pacee Miller
Reserve Champion – Natalie Pitstick, Madison County Breeder: Natalie Pitstick
Maine-Anjou Steers
Champion – Faith Adams, Geauga County Breeder: Rob Smith
Reserve Champion – Kalli Atterholt, Ashland County Breeder: Kinley Kreis
Shorthorn Steers
Champion – Bristol Tipton, Harrison County Breeder: Bristol Tipton
Reserve Champion – Bailey Brause, Crawford County Breeder: Cornerpost Farms
ShorthornPlus Steers
Champion – Rylee Pelegreen, Harrison County Breeder: Sautter Farms
Reserve Champion – Eliza Schrock, Trumbull County Breeder: Binckley Cattle Company
Simmental Steers
Champion – Natalie Brown, Pickaway County Breeder: Loretta and Randy Miller
Reserve Champion – Carrie Gahler, Ottawa County Breeder: Jenna Norman
AOB Steers
Champion – Addison Burnett, Geauga County Breeder: Harrison Blay
Reserve Champion – Aubree Wood, Sandusky County Breeder: Aubree Wood