August 27, 2025

Master showmanship winners announced

Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher joins the top overall finishers in the 25th annual Master Showmanship Contest at the Illinois State Fair. Honorees are Nolan Hoge (from left), fourth; Cole Kinsella, reserve grand champion; Hunter Shike, grand champion; Laikyn Parchert, third; and Carly Powell, fifth.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sixty-five young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” during the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

The exhibitors, who were the winners of their respective 4-H county contests, showcased their skills and knowledge of animal husbandry at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

This prestigious competition invites 4-H members ages 14 to 18 years to display their showmanship skills across three species — beef, sheep and swine.

The 4-H members were judged on their ability to handle each animal, knowledge of the species and animal husbandry, as well as overall showmanship skills.

Three winners were named for each species and scores for all three species were tallied to determine the top five winners overall.

This year’s contest winners, announced on Aug. 8, are:

Overall

• Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Hunter Shike, Champaign County, the son of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

• Reserve Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Cole Kinsella, Stark County, the son of Jim and Joni Kinsella.

• Third Place Overall — Laikyn Parchert, Rock Island County, the daughter of Tom and Carol Parchert.

• Fourth Place Overall — Nolan Hoge, McDonough County, the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.

• Fifth Place Overall — Carly Powell, Knox County, the daughter of Justin and Amanda Powell.

Beef

• Champion Beef Division — Ellie Drach, Livingston County, the daughter of Tony and Joy Drach.

• Reserve Champion Beef Division — Nolan Hoge, McDonough County, the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.

• Third Place Beef Division — Carly Powell, Knox County, the daughter of Justin and Amanda Powell.

Swine

• Champion Swine Division — Hunter Shike, Champaign County, the son of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

• Reserve Champion Swine Division — Alaina Diel, Richland County, the daughter of Craig and Christina Diel.

• Third Place Swine Division — Aubrey Killey, Warren County, the daughter of Kevin and DeNeene Killey.

Sheep

• Champion Sheep Division — Kashen Ellerbrock, Henry County, the son of Jeff and Kelly Ellerbrock.

• Reserve Champion Sheep Division — Kade Beckmier, Christian County, the son of Craig and Michelle Beckmier.

• Third Place Sheep Division — Hunter Shike, Champaign County, the son of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

Nearly $8,000 worth of prizes donated by sponsors were awarded this year.

First, second and third place overall winners received $500, $400 and $300 cash, respectively, a new show box and other various prizes. Fourth and fifth place overall received a $200 and $100 cash, respectively, and other various prizes.

Each species division winner received a $100 gift card and a zero-gravity chair. Each contest participant received a T-shirt, bucket, harness and $25 gift card.

This year marked the 25th annual Master Showmanship Contest held at the Illinois State Fair.

This year’s contest was hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau. IFB Vice President Evan Hultine presented the awards.

AgriNews Staff

AgriNews Staff

The Illinois AgriNews and Indiana AgriNews staff is in the field each week, covering topics that affect local farm families and their businesses. We give readers information they can’t get elsewhere to help them make better farming decisions.