MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)— The 2026 showman of showmen contest took place Friday evening at the Richland County Fair. The competition featured Jordan Tedrow, Emma Blanton, Fin Rowlands, Reece Cook, Lena Creed, Grant Freeman, Benjamin Miller, and Karlie Walp.
This year’s winner is 18-year-old Reece Cook. Cook is a recent graduate of Clearfork High School, and in the fall, Cook will be attending Lincoln Land Community College.
Cook is a member of Clearfork FFA, where she shows sheep.
“I’m pretty pumped up. I’ve exhibited in this three years, so you learn more every year, so it’s kind of nice,” said Cook about taking the top spot this year.
Cook’s advice to others is to stay humble and hungry.
“Just be nice, work hard, exhibit your animals, and do your best. That’s all you can really do,” says Cook.
Cook would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported her over the past ten years, especially her parents, all of her family, and all of her mentors.
Taking second in the competition was 19-year-old Lena Creed. Creed is going into her second year at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, where she majors in livestock production and management.
She is a member of Next Generation 4-H, where she shows goats.
Creed says she is really pleased with her place in the competition.
“I was not expecting that, since it was my first time in Showman of Showmen. I was really excited, I was really happy with my place,” says Creed.
She would like to thank her parents as well as Jake Paul, for whom she works, for allowing her to represent and show his goats.
The other contestants and the animals they show are as follows
Horse- Jordan Tedrow
Rabbit- Emma Blanton
Poultry- Fin Rowlands
Sheep- Reece Cook
Goat- Lena Creed
Cattle- Grant Freeman
Alpaca- Benjamin Miller
Pig- Karlie Walp
Photo gallery: Kaitlyn Geiger
