OCA BEST Program Concludes Successful Year

The 2018-2019 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) Program came to an end on May 4th with its annual awards banquet held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. This season celebrated the 20th year of the BEST Program.

“This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the BEST program,” says Stephanie Sindel, OCA Director of Youth Programs. “Throughout the years, the committee’s focus has been to keep a progressive, family engaged program while utilizing cattle as a tool to help educate and raise the next generation of leaders. The BEST program boasts numerous successful professionals that have walked through the ring at BEST shows.”

Several representatives from program sponsors were on hand to help present awards, totaling more than $60,000 in belt buckles, luggage, show materials and other awards. The BEST Sponsoring Partners for 2018-2019 were Ag-Pro – John Deere, Bob Evans Farms, M.H. EBY, Frazier Farms, Farm Credit Mid–America, Garwood Cattle Co. LLC, Kalmbach Feeds – Formula of Champions and Weaver Leather Livestock. 

“The banquet is a time to celebrate the many achievements of our BEST participants, both in and out of the show ring,” says Sindel. “Each participant is recognized for their hard work by family, friends and BEST supporters alike.” 

This year’s BEST program featured 15 sanctioned shows that wove their way across the state. Over 431 youth participants showed 618 head of market animals and heifers throughout the course of the 2018-2019 program. 

BEST Committee
The OCA BEST program functions with the strong backing of the BEST Committee. Serving on the BEST Committee are Chairman – Todd Pugh, Stark County; Vice-Chairman – Mark Hara, Franklin County; Drew Baus, Wood County; Brandon Corry, Greene County; Alice Frazier, Jackson County; Chase Gostomsky, Darke County; Kim Herman, Allen County; Roger Hunker, Huron County; Matt Kleski, Franklin County; Sally Puzacke, Tuscarawas County; Mindy Sanders, Highland County; and Bill Tom, Ohio State Fair Beef Director. During the BEST awards banquet, the new junior representatives for the 2019–2020 season were announced. They are Ellie Kidwell, Knox County and Owen Brinker, Wood County. Continuing for their second term is Brooke Egbert, Auglaize County, Madison King, Logan County and Haley Frazier, Jackson County. Sarah Harner, Greene County and Hannah Ziegler, Wyandot County have fulfilled their commitment as BEST Junior representatives. 

Youth Scholarships
BEST participants’ efforts in academics and extracurricular activities are also recognized through the BEST Scholarship program. This year’s three $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Ellie Kidwell, Knox County; McKenzie Riley, Fayette County; and Kristina Scheurman, Coshocton County.   

M.H. EBY Trailer Winner
Participants in this year’s program received an entry into the drawing for the free use of an 8’ x 24’ EBY Trailer, complete with BEST logo detailing for the 2019-2020 BEST season, donated by EBY Trailer. Participants were given an entry for every animal they showed at each show throughout the season, equaling more than 4,200 entries. The lucky winner was Karly Goetz of Ottawa County. 

Community Service Fundraising Winners
BEST participants worked this season to raise money for two charities, the Make-A-Wish® Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. This year, a total of $14,175 was raised by BEST participants for Make-A-Wish. In its seven years of contribution, the BEST program has raised over $94,175 for the Make-A-Wish. Victoria Waits, Fayette County, received a $500 gift certificate to be used on show supplies with Weaver Leather Livestock for being the top fundraiser in the Make-A-Wish project. Waits raised a total of $2,250. Participants raising $50 or more were also entered to win a $500 gift certificate, and Hailey Cornett of Highland County, was selected as the drawing winner. Tait Dusseau, Ottawa County, received a $500 gift certificate for a shopping spree with Weaver Leather Livestock for collecting the most pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Dusseau collected 37 pounds of pop tabs. In total, BEST participants collected 50 pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

Character Traits Winners
The Ohio Cattlemen's Association (OCA) and Weaver Leather Livestock teamed up to recognize individuals that are exceptional leaders, no matter their age. Weaver Leather Livestock sponsored the 2019 BEST Character awards, highlighting passion, integrity, determination, motivation and influence. Any OCA member, BEST participant or their parents could nominate other cattlemen, breeders or exhibitors for any of the Character Traits. Hudson Drake, Ross County was recognized for his passion; Madison King, Logan County, was recognized for her extreme integrity; Olivia Wood, Meigs County was recognized for her outstanding determination; Victoria Waits, Fayette County was recognized for her motivation; and lastly, Kathy Lehman was recognized for her exceptional influence. 

Gift Certificate Winners
Jacob Wiechart, Putnam County, won the drawing for a $500 gift certificate toward the purchase of his next show animal or show supplies from an OCA member, BEST sponsoring partner or OCA Allied Industry Council member. Winning a show pass, valued at more than $850, was Trevin Redd of Wyandot County. A gift card valued at $100 was won by Tyler Leggo-Bobo of Clark County. 

Novice Chute Drawing
Novice participant, Hunter Krivesti of Athens County, won a new chute in a novice-only drawing, donated by Weaver Leather Livestock. Novice participants were given an entry for every animal they showed at each show throughout the season, totaling more than 1,465 names in the drawing. 

15 Show Attendees
It takes a lot of time and dedication for juniors and their parents to attend any of the BEST shows, but several individuals attended all 15 BEST shows across the state. Forty BEST participants won a free single-show entry pass for the 2019-2020 season. 

 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 – Russell Fox, Seneca County
2nd Place Beginner – Carson Barton, Clinton County
3rd Place Beginner – Carson Barton, Clinton County 

Junior Division 
1st Place Junior – Josie Kidwell, Knox County
2nd Place Junior – Morgan Love, Fairfield County
3rd Place Junior – Sydney Sanders, Highland County

Intermediate Division 

1st Place Intermediate – Brock Retcher, Defiance County
2nd Place Intermediate – Isaac Wiley, Morrow County
3rd Place Intermediate – Erin Pope, Gallia County 

Senior Division 

1st Place Senior – Madison King, Logan County 

2nd Place Senior – Ian Gehret, Darke County 
3rd Place Senior – Haley Frazier, Jackson County 

Adult Division 
1st Place Adult – Heather Wiley, Morrow County
2nd Place Adult – Susie Perry, Ottawa County 

3rd Place Adult – Kelly Kinicki, Ashtabula County

Editor’s Choice – 1st Place Senior – Madison King, Logan County
Editor’s Choice Honorable Mention – 1st Place Intermediate – Brock Retcher, Defiance County 

Heifer and Market Animal Champions

Angus

Champion Angus Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Reserve Champion Angus Heifer – Harrison Blay, Portage County 

Champion Chianina Heifer – Beau Johnson, Gallia County  
Reserve Champion Chianina Heifer – Fulton Kennedy, Adams County 

Champion Chianina Steer – Mason Kinney, Huron County  
Reserve Champion Chianina Steer – Zachery Retcher, Defiance County
Third Overall Chianina Steer – Carter McCauley, Guernsey County 
Fourth Overall Chianina Steer – Tait Dusseau, Ottawa County 
Fifth Overall Chianina Steer – Calvin Trigg, Fairfield County

Hereford
Champion Hereford Heifer – Maddox Cupp, Fairfield County
Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County

Champion Hereford Steer – Madison Frey, Wyandot County
Reserve Champion Hereford Steer – Levi Yelton, Champaign County 

Maine-Anjou 
Champion High % Maine-Anjou Heifer – Mason Love, Fairfield County
Reserve Champion High % Maine-Anjou Heifer – Owen Fennig, Mercer County   

Champion MaineTainer Heifer - Emily Jones, Butler County
Reserve Champion MaineTainer Heifer – Delaney Chester, Warren County  
Third Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Fourth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Marcus VanVorhis, Wood County
(TIE) Fifth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Reed Schumacher, Putnam County
(TIE) Fifth Overall MaineTainer Heifer – Mekenzie Jolliff, Hardin County   

Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Victoria Waits, Fayette County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Mallory Peter, Defiance County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Maine-Anjou Steer – Allison Lust, Crawford County
Third Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Delaney Chester, Warren County
Fourth Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Bailey Dusseau, Ottawa County
Fifth Overall Maine-Anjou Steer – Cheyenne Baker, Preble County 

Shorthorn
Champion Shorthorn Heifer – McKala Grauel, Morrow County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer – Skyler Ward, Preble County
(TIE) Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer – Emma McLaughlin, Monroe County
Third Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Alyssa Carter, Warren County
Fourth Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Amanda Annett, Knox County
Fifth Overall Shorthorn Heifer – Karly Goetz, Ottawa County

Champion Shorthorn Steer – Garrett Agle, Clark County
Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer – Logan Schroeder, Defiance County

Champion ShorthornPlus Heifer – Haley Frazier, Jackson County
Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County

Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Alex Linder, Huron County
Reserve Champion ShorthornPlus Steer – Hannah Lang, Wood County 

Simmental

Champion Simmental Heifer – Hudson Drake, Ross County
Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer – McKala Grauel, Morrow County

Champion % Simmental Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Reserve Grand Champion % Simmental Heifer – Kolten Greenhorn, Greene County   

(TIE) Champion Simmental Steer – Karlie Palmer, Clark County
(TIE) Champion Simmental Steer – Macie Riley, Fayette County
Reserve Champion Simmental Steer – Montgomery Alexander, Wood County 

AOB
Champion High % AOB Heifer – Kathy Lehman, Richland County
Reserve Champion High % AOB Heifer – Amanda Annett, Knox County   

Champion Low % AOB Heifer – Colten Luyster, Belmont County
Reserve Champion Low % AOB Heifer – Jordan Johnson, Gallia County   

Champion AOB Steer – Harrison Blay, Portage County
Reserve Champion AOB Steer – Maggie Mathews, Clinton County 

Miniature
Champion Miniature Heifer – Isaac Wiley, Morrow County
Reserve Champion Miniature Heifer – Walker Wiley, Morrow County   

Champion Miniature Steer – Jocelyn Belleville, Wood County
Reserve Champion Miniature Steer – Seamus Bly, Lake County 

Market Heifer

Champion Market Heifer – Natalie Wagner, Brown County
Reserve Champion Market Heifer – Collin Fedderke, Henry County
Third Overall Market Heifer – Paige Gehret, Darke County
Fourth Overall Market Heifer – Riley Schumacher, Putnam County
Fifth Overall Market Heifer – Zachery Retcher, Defiance County

Crossbred
Champion Crossbred Heifer – Beau Johnson, Gallia County
Reserve Champion Crossbred Heifer – Michelle Shafer, Perry County
Third Overall Crossbred Heifer – Audrianna Albert, Richland County
Fourth Overall Crossbred Heifer – Luke Fulton, Miami County
Fifth Overall Crossbred Heifer – Karlie Kennedy, Adams County 

Champion Crossbred Steer – Micayla McClure, Hamilton County
Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer – Grant Belleville, Wood County
Third Overall Crossbred Steer – Kayler Frey, Lorain County
Fourth Overall Crossbred Steer – Fox Morgan, Perry County
Fifth Overall Crossbred Steer – Caiden Daugherty, Morrow County
Sixth Overall Crossbred Steer – Colten Luyster, Belmont County
Seventh Overall Crossbred Steer – Ladson Mathews, Hardin County
Eighth Overall Crossbred Steer – Emma Mathews, Clinton County
Ninth Overall Crossbred Steer – Ross McNary, Madison County
Tenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Hayden Smith, Holmes County
Eleventh Overall Crossbred Steer – Calvin Trigg, Fairfield County
(TIE) Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Karlie Palmer, Clark County
(TIE) Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Annette Augustine, Ashland County
(TIE) Twelfth Overall Crossbred Steer – Owen Brinker, Wood County
Thirteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Hayden Belleville, Wood County
Fourteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Aubrey Csapo, Wayne County
Fifteenth Overall Crossbred Steer – Carly Csapo, Wayne County 

BEST Novice Champions 

Heifers
Champion Novice Heifer – McKala Grauel, Morrow County – Shorthorn
Reserve Champion Novice Heifer – Emily Jones, Butler County – MaineTainer
Third Overall Novice Heifer – Michelle Shafer, Perry County –Crossbred
Fourth Overall Novice Heifer – Kolten Greenhorn, Green County – % Simmental
Fifth Overall Novice Heifer – Audrianna Albert, Richland County – Crossbred
Sixth Overall Novice Heifer – Cody Kanicki, Ashtabula County – % Simmental
Seventh Overall Novice Heifer – Brynn Shearer, Wayne County – % Simmental
Eighth Overall Novice Heifer – Reed Schumacher, Putnam County – MaineTainer
(TIE) Ninth Overall Novice Heifer – Delaney Moore, Fairfield County – Crossbred
(TIE) Ninth Overall Novice Heifer – McKala Grauel, Morrow County – Purebred Simmental
(TIE) Ninth Overall Novice Heifer – Cade Carlin, Williams County – High % AOB
Tenth Overall Novice Heifer – Sydney Kleman, Putnam County – ShorthornPlus   

Market Animals
Champion Novice Steer – Madison Frey, Wyandot County – Hereford
Reserve Champion Novice Steer – Macie Riley, Fayette County – Simmental
Third Overall Novice Steer – Levi Yelton, Champaign County – Hereford
Fourth Overall Novice Steer – Fox Morgan, Perry County – Crossbred
Fifth Overall Novice Steer – Allison Lust, Crawford County – Maine-Anjou
Sixth Overall Novice Steer – Caiden Daugherty, Morrow County – Crossbred
Seventh Overall Novice Steer – Riley Schumacher, Putnam County – Market Heifer
(TIE) Eighth Overall Novice Steer – Jocelyn Belleville, Wood County – Miniature
(TIE) Eighth Overall Novice Steer – Ladson Mathews, Hardin County – Crossbred
Ninth Overall Novice Steer – Ross McNary, Madison County – Crossbred
Tenth Overall Novice Steer – Seamus Bly, Lake County – Miniature

BEST Bred & Owned Champions 

Heifers 

Champion Bred & Owned Heifer – Jordan Johnson, Gallia County – Low % AOB
Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Heifer– Amanda Annett, Knox County – Shorthorn
Third Overall Bred & Owned Heifer – Mekenzie Jolliff, Hardin County – MaineTainer
Fourth Overall Bred & Owned Heifer – Cole Carlin, Williams County – MaineTainer
Fifth Overall Bred & Owned Heifer– Fulton Kennedy, Adams County –  Shorthorn

Steers
Champion Bred & Owned Steer – Delaney Chester, Warren County – Maine-Anjou
Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Steer – Montgomery Alexander, Wood County – Simmental
(TIE) Third Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Calvin Trigg, Fairfield County – Chianina
(TIE) Third Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Luke Kiefer, Butler County – Simmental
Fourth Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Amanda Annett, Knox County – Shorthorn
Fifth Overall Bred & Owned Steer – Karli Gaddis, Morrow County – Chianina 

BEST Showmanship Winners

Beginner

Champion Beginner Showman – Kolten Greenhorn, Greene County
Reserve Beginner Showman – Delaney Dudte, Wayne County
Third Overall Beginner Showman – Andrew Johnson, Preble County
Fourth Overall Beginner Showman – Kendall Davies, Wood County
Fifth Overall Beginner Showman – Brynn Shearer, Wayne County
Sixth Overall Beginner Showman – Caiden Daugherty, Morrow County
Seventh Overall Beginner Showman – Morgan Neill, Huron County
Eighth Overall Beginner Showman – Masen Jolliff, Hardin County
Ninth Overall Beginner Showman – Tyler Neill, Huron County
Tenth Overall Beginner Showman – Cade Carlin, Williams County

Junior
Champion Junior Showman – Hudson Drake, Ross County
Reserve Champion Junior Showman – Karlie Kennedy, Adams County
Third Overall Junior Showman – Delaney Chester, Warren County
Fourth Overall Junior Showman – Madison Paden, Guernsey County
Fifth Overall Junior Showman – Logan Schroeder, Defiance County
Sixth Overall Junior Showman – Sydney Sanders, Highland County
Seventh Overall Junior Showman – Carly Sanders, Highland County
Eighth Overall Junior Showman – Karly Goetz, Ottawa County
Ninth Overall Junior Showman – Hayden Smith, Holmes County
Tenth Overall Junior Showman – Wyatt Binckley, Licking County 

Novice
Champion Novice Showman – Sydney Kleman, Putnam County

Reserve Novice Showman – Allison Lust, Crawford County
Third Overall Novice Showman – Rachel O’Reilly, Geauga County
Fourth Overall Novice Showman – Halee Robinson, Athens County

Fifth Overall Novice Showman – Taylor Blanton, Clark County
Sixth Overall Novice Showman – Logan Hackworth, Wayne County

Seventh Overall Novice Showman – Jordan Marcum, Athens County

Eighth Overall Novice Showman – Libby Grossniklaus, Wayne County

Ninth Overall Novice Showman – Courtney Hamilton, Clark County

Tenth Overall Novice Showman – Nathan Videkovich, Pickaway County 

Intermediate
Champion Intermediate Showman – Alex Linder, Huron County
Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman – Skyler Ward, Preble County

Third Overall Intermediate Showman – Beau Johnson, Gallia County

Fourth Overall Intermediate Showman – Victoria Waits, Fayette County

Fifth Overall Intermediate Showman – Drew Browning, Muskingham County

Sixth Overall Intermediate Showman – Alyssa Carter, Warren County
Seventh Overall Intermediate Showman – Caden McLaughlin, Monroe County

Eighth Overall Intermediate Showman – Harrison Blay, Portage County
Ninth Overall Intermediate Showman – Mallory Peter, Defiance County

Tenth Overall Intermediate Showman – Erin Pope, Gallia County 

Senior 

Champion Senior Showman – Hayley Frazier, Jackson County
Reserve Champion Senior Showman – Lori Millenbaugh, Crawford County
Third Overall Senior Showman – Emily Jones, Butler County

Fourth Overall Senior Showman – Kyle Piscione, Medina County
Fifth Overall Senior Showman – Kayler Frey, Lorain County

Sixth Overall Senior Showman – Zachery Retcher, Defiance County

Seventh Overall Senior Showman – Kristina Scheurman, Coshocton County
Eighth Overall Senior Showman – Jordan Johnson, Gallia County

Ninth Overall Senior Showman – Darcy Howser, Brown County

Tenth Overall Senior Showman – Madison King, Logan County

BEST is a youth program of the OCA that recognizes Ohio’s junior beef exhibitors through a series of shows. Juniors who participate in these sanctioned shows earn points for their placing at each show. The OCA BEST program promotes educating Ohio’s juniors about the beef industry’s issues and rewards the successful accomplishments and hard work of those junior beef producers.