Paige Wallace wins the showmanship award during the 2013 NJAS.
The first National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) was held in 1969 in Columbia, Mo., and in 1974 the elite showmanship competition was held in conjunction with the NJAS. This highly anticipated event is not only a chance for juniors to represent their state, but also an opportunity for youth to display their hard work, skill and pride in the Angus breed.
At the 2013 NJAS in Kansas City, Mo., it was Paige Wallace of Scotts City, Mo., who beat out 43 other young men and women for the coveted title. She received the Dean Hurlbut Award, in honor of the man who organized the first showmanship competition in Lexington, Ky., and a pewter bowl provided by the American Angus Auxiliary.
“I was excited and overjoyed to hear them call my name,” Wallace says. “At the same time though, I was overwhelmed and a bit shocked because this is such a competitive contest that I had always dreamed of winning.”
Wallace says to prepare for the competition, she and her mother made an effort to work with her show heifers and practice the small details that make up an effective showman.
Each state is allowed two participants who represent them in the competition. Three judges evaluated the juniors on their skills handling an animal they have never shown before, ability to follow instructions from the surrogate judge, and evidence of courtesy and sportsmanship in the ring.
Rounding out the top five were: second place — MacKenzie Flory, Baldwin City, Kan.; third place — Luke Nord, Wolverton, Minn.; fourth place — Kayla Widerman, Good Hope, Ill.; and fifth place — Brady Jensen, Courtland, Kan.
As younger juniors look forward to their chance to compete in this prestigious event, they can take advice from the 2013 winner.
“I think it’s important for juniors to go to showmanship clinics, or even go to the showring and pick out a few people you can watch and learn from,” Wallace says. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to take advice from older, more experienced cattlemen and women.”
The top 15 showmanship finalists were awarded Andis® clippers: Blake Boyd, Eldorado, Kan.; Colleen Jones, Kinston, N.C.; Hailey Keller, Kimball, Neb.; Savannah Levisay, Creston, Calif.; Mary Kate Mardesen, Oxford, Iowa; Colby Myers, Harrodsburg, Ky.; Shelby Stabler, Gaithersburg, Md.; Erin Steele, Anita, Iowa; Shannon Tower, Copperopolis, Calif.; and Emily Velisek, Gaithersburg, Md.
The following 10 individuals were recognized as honorable mention: Emily Harrell, Roseville, Ill.; Kaylee Hartsfield, Rector, Ark.; Clayton McGuire, Waverly, Ala.; Kyla Olson, Saint Ignatius, Mont.; and Lindsay Upperman, Chambersburg, Pa.
For more news and information from the 2013 NJAS, visit www.ANGUS.org to find contest results, awards, scholarships and show photos. Backdrop and candid photos will be available for purchase online. Coverage will be available on the NJAA Facebook page, as well.
Also, plan to tune in to a special NJAS episode of The Angus Report at 7:30 a.m. (central) Monday, July 22 on RFD-TV.
