July 15, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Holly Martin, director of communications

816-383-5143

hmartin@angus.org

Koelling secures prestigious showmanship honors 

Missouri junior secures prestigious showmanship title at 2024 National Junior Angus Show.

At the center of Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin stood 15 showmen from across the country, with the title to be earned — Champion Showman at the 2024 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS).

The culmination of years in the show ring in preparation had come down to one moment. With junior members in suspense, Lexi Koelling of Bowling Green, Missouri was announced as the winner of the 2024 National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest. 

“It was a surreal moment,” Koelling said. “It’s something that I have dreamed of ever since I started showing.”

After earning the title of Champion Showman at NJAS, Koelling said she has found success when focusing on what was in front of her. She tries to be as calm and collected as possible but still be the most assertive and aggressive showman. 

Koelling gives credit for her win to the encouragement from her parents and peers and the work she had done at home in the barn to prepare for the contest. Noting that she had always been competitive growing up, Koelling says there were many nights spent in the front yard getting critiqued by family members so she could practice how to best present her heifer.

“Showmanship was something that no matter if I had the best or worst calf in the barn, I could still be the best to myself,” Koelling said. 

To be eligible to compete in the showmanship contest at NJAS, participants must first qualify within their state. Only two juniors per state are chosen to represent and compete at the national level each year. Additionally, members can only compete in the contest once during their career as a junior. These high stakes add to the prestige of the contest and make it one of the most competitive in the industry. 

Contestants were evaluated by Calli Spengler of Cascade, Iowa, Curtis Bryant of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Jill Harker of Hope, Indiana. Jared Radcliffe of Weston, Wisconsin, served as surrogate judge for the contest.  

These experts undertook a challenging responsibility: evaluating a group of exceptionally skilled participants throughout the multi-round showdown. Judges assess junior members’ proficiency in animal handling, show ring etiquette and sportsmanship, equipment utilization, and adherence to instructions. 

Following the initial four heats, 15 showmen are chosen to return and participate in a final round where the top five winners are selected.  

Joining Koelling in the top five were: second place, Skyler Ward, Ohio; third place, Hailey Jentz, Wisconsin; fourth place, Shelby Greiman, Iowa; fifth place, Reese Anderson, Illinois. 

The remaining showmen selected in the top 15, in alphabetical order, were:  

Aribella Beins, Utah

Allison Davis, Tenn.

Jayce Dickerson, Kan.

Blair Heath, Md.

Courtney Rathke, Wis.

Sydney Sanders, Ohio

Tucker Stagemeyer, Neb.

Grant Ward, Mo.

Mary Wood, N.C.

Lauren Wolter, Ill.

The following juniors were recognized as honorable mentions:

Asa Anderson, Fla.

Dalaney Bates, Mich.

Lani LeBeouf, La.

Kilye Winge, Texas

Annually, the champion showman at NJAS is presented the Dean Hurlbut Award, named after the man who organized the first National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest in 1967.  Also, juniors placing in the top five are presented a scholarship named the Hamilton “Ham” James Award, which began at the 1983 NJAS in honor of its namesake. 

For junior members looking to compete in this prestigious showmanship contest one day or those simply looking to enhance their skills in the show ring, Koelling’s advice is to stay focused on the things you can control; put the work in at home with your animal; and be prepared for any situation in the show ring whether you are handling your animal or someone else’s. 

View results of the 2024 NJAS, including shows, contests, awards and scholarships at www.njas.info. Additional coverage is also available on the NJAA social media channels and in the September issue of the Angus Journal. 

— Written by Olivia Rooker, Angus Communications 

About the National Junior Angus Association 

The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for more than 4,500 active members nationwide. 

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association^® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 22,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.  

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.