Geurink Continues Reign as Top Junior Dairy Judge at Annual 4-H Dairy Days; Mann is Senior Division Winner
8/13/09
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Earning a spot on one of three national dairy judging teams fuels more than one young person’s ambition and drive during a week’s worth of competitions, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging, showmanship and a youth show.
4-H Dairy Days is the youth-centered portion of Michigan Dairy Expo, the largest annual dairy event in the state. It offers young people interested in the dairy industry opportunities to compete for premiums, ribbons and scholarships in various activities. Winners may also be selected to go on to represent Michigan in national competitions.
But it’s the dairy judging contest that is heralded as one of the most competitive portions of Michigan 4-H Dairy Days every year, and this year’s competition proved to be no different from any other.
Individuals compete with the goal of placing among the top 25, which earns them a chance to vie for one of nine team or three alternate positions on the state’s 4-H dairy judging teams. These teams will compete at three national contests in the fall – the All-American in Harrisburg, Pa., World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., and the North American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville, Ky. The dairy judging contest is just the first step in what will be a series of intensive workouts and independent practices to make one of the teams.
For the second year, Hayleigh Geurink, Ottawa County, was the highest placing individual overall in the junior division (ages nine to 14). She also was high individual in oral reasons after finishing second in this category one year ago.
Earning second place in individual overall in the junior division was Shelby Berens, Allegan County. Bryce Frahm, Saginaw County, finished third; Kelly Raterink, Ottawa County, and Kailey Sweers, Ingham County, were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Rounding out the top 25 high individuals overall in the junior division were: Zeke Breuninger, Washtenaw County; Madeleine Wilsey, Clinton County; Jennifer Crabtree, Hillsdale County; Quintin Shilling, Branch County; Shawn Chamberlain, Washtenaw County; Anna Musolf, Ingham County; Suzanna Hull, Hillsdale County; Kaitlyn Mann, Hillsdale County; Jay Luoma, Calhoun County; Lucas Moser, Ingham County; Timothy Frahm, Saginaw County; Allison Schafer, Clinton County; Chelsea Barnes, Ottawa County; Miriah Dershem, Clinton County; Allison Pung, Clinton County; Isaac Elzinga, Allegan County; Leah Batora, Clinton County; Jeremy Spink, Jackson County; Brent Marsh, Branch County; and Cole Wixom, Allegan County.
The high junior team overall was Ottawa A. Team members were Geurink, Raterink and Barnes. The second highest placing team overall in the junior division was the Calhoun/Ingham team consisting of teammates Luoma, Sweers, Moser and Musolf.
Second high individual overall for oral reasons in the junior division was Sweers, Rounding out the top five overall individuals in the junior division were Bryce Frahm, Pung, and Luoma.
The high team in oral reasons in the junior division was the Calhoun/Ingham team of Luoma, Sweers, Moser and Musolf. The second place team was the Saginaw/Jackson counties team made up of brothers Timothy, Bryce and Lance Frahm, and Jeremy Spink.
Sarah Mann, Hillsdale County, was the high individual overall in the senior division (ages 15 to 19). Kelsey Casebere, Clare County, was second high individual, and Eric Sneller, Huron County, who was high individual in oral reasons, placed third overall. Matthew Mann, Hillsdale County, was fourth, and Brittney Westendorp, Barry County, was fifth.
Rounding out the top 25 high individuals overall in the senior division were: Lauren Messing, Huron County; C.J. Berens, Allegan County; Britney Lewis, Hillsdale County; Elaina Myers, Hillsdale County; Allie Elzinga, Allegan County; Marshall Wixom, Allegan County; Lauren Bush, Genesee County; Casey Hirth, Washtenaw County; Katie Arndt, Clinton County; Erica Slagter, Ingham County; Mitchell Carpenter, Ingham County; Caitlin Hook, Branch County; Katie Thelen, Clinton County; Katelyn Horning, Washtenaw County; Casei Hart, Jackson County; Kevin Messing, Huron County; Rob Ferwerda, Ottawa County; Enoch Carpenter, Ingham County; Kylie Miller, Hillsdale County; and Amber Mulder, Ottawa County.
In the senior division of oral reasons, Sneller, was high individual. Arndt, was second, and Sarah Mann, was third. Matthew Mann, was fourth and Westendorp, was fifth.
The top senior team both overall and in oral reasons was the Barry/Huron counties team of the Messing siblings, Sneller and Westendorp. Hillsdale B was the second highest placing team. Teammates were Sarah and Matthew Mann, Britney Lewis and Elaina Myers.
This year’s Michigan Dairy Expo took place July 20-24. It drew more than 400 dairy animals and more than 200 exhibitors. To download photos or results from any of the week’s activities, visit www.michigandairyexpo.com.
The mission of Michigan Dairy Expo is to encourage and promote youth involvement in dairy activities, showcase the Michigan dairy industry, and provide continuing education opportunities for the dairy industry in Michigan and neighboring states.
All Michigan Dairy Expo activities took place at the state-of-the-art MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, which was funded by the Animal Agriculture Initiative (AAI) at MSU. Established in 1996 as part of the grass-roots-driven Revitalization of Animal Agriculture in Michigan Initiative, the AAI is a partnership between MSU, livestock producers and industry organizations, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to address challenges facing Michigan animal-based agriculture through research and Extension projects.
For more information about the Michigan 4-H dairy youth program or Michigan Dairy Expo, contact the Michigan 4-H dairy office at 517-353-7855.
The 2010 Michigan Dairy Expo is scheduled for July 19-23 at MSU.
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