By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Morgan Scheffler had a big surprise for her dad when he got home from work on Friday.
“I’m very proud and I can’t wait to tell my dad when he gets home from work that his only daughter got showmen of showmen.”
The Wynford graduate and president of the Lykens Champions 4-H club outlasted the best junior fair showmen in Crawford County to be crowned Showman of Showman on Friday morning. Scheffler won the marathon session over 10 other showman in the marathon session requiring each to show 10 fair animals that were not their area of expertise.
Each senior champion showman of 11 junior fair animals qualified for Friday’s competition. Each showed all the other species except the one for which he or she qualified. The difference between Scheffler and runner-up Adam Widman was how they performed in each other’s specialties. While Widman won three animal areas compared to Scheffler’s two victories, she took first in swine which Widman sat out while he took ninth in alpacas as she watched.
The point difference between the two was five points.
“I represented alpacas and I heard he didn’t so well in that. But that’s OK adam,” Scheffler said holding the trophy. “He won the steers and I got second. Adam and I usually show the same species so we are competitors.”
Scheffler’s 4-H and FFA background was perfect training for the event, but even so she had some things she had to overcome.
“It means a whole lot to me. I’ve taken beef, swine and sheep my whole life so I’m familiar with those animals,” Scheffler said. “I have a fear of poultry but got through that. The rabbit last year peed on me and I dropped the chicken. But I practiced this year and overcame my fears and it felt great.”
Jessica Lohr was a close third and finished just two points behind Widman.
Scheffler’s work with animals isn’t over. She plans on going to Ohio State ATI to study animal science and ag business with a major in beef and a minor in swine.