By Jordan Studer
Showmen gathered in the arena Wednesday evening with their Dairy Feeders in tow, ready to show their skills to Judge Clayton Boyert during the Dairy Feeder Showmanship.
Awarded the Senior Showmanship Winner title was Zach Moritz. Following shortly behind Moritz was Ethan Hall, who was awarded Reserve Senior Showmanship Winner.
Moritz is an eight year 4-H member of Liberty Leaders 4-H Club, showing Dairy Feeders seven of the eight years. Moritz explained that he has faired well in past years in Showmanship, but this is his first Senior Showman winning title and he was feeling pretty excited about it.
“When I got into the rink last night and practiced, I knew that he was going to be good. I just didn’t know he was going to win. It was a surprise, and it was a welcomed surprise,” Moritz said.
Megan Rhodes was named Intermediate Showmanship winner and Reserve winner was Rhodes sister, Emma. When speaking with both girls, they described the satisfaction felt when their hard work of preparing for that very day, finally paid off for both of them.
“It’s really cool because we’ve been walking our cows together all year, so we finally did it together I guess,” E. Rhodes explained.
M. Rhodes chimed in, “It’s fun to do it together because we help each other out a lot.”
E. Rhodes has shown animals for six years and M.
Rhodes has shown five years. In those years of showing, prior to showing Dairy Feeders, both girls dappled in rabbit showing. The sisters explained that they truly believe being able to work and prepare together over the years has helped them get to where they are today. M. Rhodes described some of the sacrifices the girls have had to make to take care of their calves, compared to some of their other teenage friends.