Grand Drive The Achievement of  Lifetime

Grand Drive The Achievement of  Lifetime

Grand Drive 2016The Grand Drive at the Indiana State Fair on Sunday produced all the drama and excitement you would expect.  4-H livestock entries were up this year, and that meant tougher competition in the ring.  But when the champion banners were awarded, the pride and accomplishment of these 4Hers and their families made all the hard work worth it.  “It was incredible – an experience I will never forget,” said  Travis Wallen from Johnson County who won Grand Champion Market Barrow. “Even as a baby he was different- massive,” said Wallen. “He was the biggest out there, but it’s also about being functional and good at it.” Wallen has three more years of eligibility to show in 4-H and doesn’t know how he will make it to this level again without his prized pig, but is ready to take on the challenge.

Champion Beef Steer_ WebCayde Selke, Clinton County, who had the Grand Champion Steer said showing livestock in the  4-H program has changed his life, “This 4-H program means everything to me, there is no place I would rather be.”  He said each year the competition gets tougher and tougher, “The cattle industry keep getting better and better. Every year I see one that is better than last year.”

LoddersCourtney Lotter, Adams County, who won with her Dairy Beef Steer, said 4-H has also changed her future, “I was helping in the barns before I could join 4-H, and I will make sure my kids are in the program.”

All the champions and reserve champions will be recognized at the Celebration of Champions on the last day of the Fair and will share in over $100,000 in prize money collected by the State Fair Foundation.

The Grand Champions are as follows:

  • Grand Champion Dairy Steer: Courtney Lotter, Adams
  • Grand Champion Meat Goat Wether:  Brad Berlet, Cass
  • Grand Champion Market Lamb: Austin Bernicky, Elkhart
  • Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen: Jade Michael, Wabash
  • Grand Champion Market Barrow: Travis Wallen, Johnson
  • Grand Champion Beef Steer: Cayde Selke, Clinton

Second place was awarded to the following:

  • Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Steer: Elise Cormany, Whitley
  • Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat Wether: Ryan O’Farrell, Carroll
  • Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb: Logan Tressler, Rush
  • Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow: Daniel Young, Hamilton
  • Reserve Grand Champion Beef Steer: Warner Ott, Noble

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