Jack McCalla took the grand champion market hog honors Tuesday night in a large swine entry while Jacob Kern took reserve champion hog.
McCalla, 7, is one of the youngest competitors to win the individual championship.
He said the pig didn’t have a name, but was called 15.
But this is not the first big pig win for the youngster — in 2012, he won grand champion pair of market hogs.
“It was exciting,” McCalla said following the win Tuesday night, and when asked if he worked with his pigs a lot before fair he said, “every day at noon.”
Amanda Breuninger and Zeke Breuninger took the grand champion and reserve champion pairs, respectively.
Zeke Breuninger also won a large senior showmanship class, which was broken into two sections and the judge brought back the top six showmen for the final judging.
Intermediate showmanship went to Russell Timmerman.
Junior showmanship was won by Ryan Trinkle and Carter Kern won youth showmanship.
You could have at least posted a photo of Jack and his winning hog with the article. I would have shared this on my Facebook page.
I’m so sorry, Kathleen. I was not able to stay until the judging was over and no one I spoke to had one, so that’s why there isn’t a photo of him.
That said, I spoke to Jack last night and promised to get one at the auction Thursday night. And I’ll be sure to post it. Please forgive me.
Lisa
It is always nice to see pictures of ALL the hard working kids, Regardless of their placing. Each kid out there deserves some kind of spotlight. It will be nice to see pictures of the children and hogs you are referring to in the article. To get Grand Champion, Reserve individual or pair is an exciting honor. It is even more exciting to see a picture of yourself after you have received that award. It is a long night for the judge, superintendents, parents and kids. It would have been nice to have shown your support and stayed until the end to capture that moment!
Karen:
I absolutely agree with you on all of your comments. I am just one person trying to be everywhere at the fair and cover as many things in words and photos as possible. And I’m truly, truly sorry that I wasn’t there for Jack’s HUGE moment. I could tell in speaking to him by phone that he was very excited, and again, I sincerely apologize for not being there in person. That said, did anyone get a photo that I could post? I’d be delighted to do so. If anyone has a photo of Jack’s win, please send it to me at [email protected].
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa, for talking with Jack last night. Watching him chat with you on the phone is a memory I won’t forget. And thank you for managing to be everywhere at once in Chelsea. Even this proud mom couldn’t get a clear shot of the actual moment–I was video recording–but I will send you a posed photo for sure. Again, our sincere thanks to Lisa, the Fair Board, the Powers family, and everyone who makes this time of year so special for our community and it’s most important asset–the children.
Thank you for posting all of your stories as they are letting all of us know what is going on even when we can not be everywhere at once. After speaking with you I became aware of the amount of time involved in preparing and writing a story. That is why you could not be there at the end to see it and take pictures. Yea I have been guilty of opening mouth and inserting foot sometimes but until a person has been in your shoes for a day doing your job……..Thank you for all you do.