MADISON, WIS – World Dairy Expo® welcomed 456 competitors to the colored shavings for the Youth Showmanship Contest on Saturday, September 28, and youth from New York and Wisconsin rising to the top in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions. Jonathan Rylaarsdam of Winchester, Ontario, Canada, Jessica Miller of Chichester, West Sussex, Scotland, and Jason Zimmerman of Avon, New York, served as the official judges of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Division, respectively.
Winning the Junior Division out of 134 participants was Cooper Merrill from Seneca Falls, N.Y. In addition to this honor, Merrill received the W. Terry Howard First Place Award, a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Images Custom Embroidery. William Zimmerman of Brodhead, Wis., won the Intermediate Division and the Howard Voegeli First Place Award, a custom embroidered jacket presented by Images Custom Embroidery. There were 149 exhibitors in the Intermediate Division this year. In the Senior Division with 173 exhibitors, Logan Harbaugh from Marion, Wis., placed first and won the Keith King First Place Award, which was also a custom embroidered jacket from Images Custom Embroidery. All three division winners also won clippers courtesy of Andis Company.
All three winners also received the Annette Ostrom Showmanship First Place $1,500 Cash Award, presented by the Ostrom family. Those who place second in their division received the Annette Ostrom Showmanship Second Place $750 Cash Award, also presented by the Ostrom family. Zoetis, ABS Global and the Michael Hellenbrand Memorial Fund, Inc. provided additional support for the Youth Showmanship Contest.
After placing first or second in their division, six youth competed for the Annette Ostrom Memorial Supreme Showman and Reserve Supreme Showman Awards. William Zimmerman of Brodhead, Wis., and Logan Harbaugh from Marion, Wis., won these respective awards, which were $3,500 and $1,500 cash awards each. In addition, Zimmerman received a crystal trophy, all presented by the Ostrom family.
The top 15 winners of each division are as follows:
Junior (Ages 9-13):
1. Cooper Merrill, Seneca Falls, N.Y.
2. Hannah Adams, Sharon Springs, N.Y.
3. Paige Zimmerman, Brodhead, Wis.
4. Kendall Thomas, North Lewisburg, Ohio
5. Jaiden Stull, Markdale, Ont.
6. Annette Clougherty, Easton, Md.
7. Kendyll Kress, Newton, Wis.
8. Molly Meinholz, DeForest, Wis.
9. Grace Salter, Wimuama, Fla.
10. Jada Rauen, Dyersville, Iowa
11. Adella Loehr, Eden, Wis.
12. Camryn Thomas, North Lewisburg, Ohio
13. Mia Smith, Elroy, Wis.
14. Kaelyn Tompkins, Salisbury, Conn.
15. Titus Mentink, Oostburg, Wis.
Intermediate (Ages 14-16):
1. William Zimmerman, Brodhead, Wis.
2. Justin Brandel, Lake Mills, Wis.
3. Addison Brown, Preble, N.Y.
4. Conner Wills, Marathon, N.Y.
5. Stella Schmocker, Whitewater, Wis.
6. Reid Vandoske, Cleveland, Wis.
7. Mallory Nifong, Orfordville, Wis.
8. Deanna Wolfe, Richfield Springs, N.Y.
9. Ian Brick, Greenleaf, Wis.
10. Brady McConnell, Lancaster, Wis.
11. Kennedy Zimmerman, Brodhead, Wis.
12. Alivia Wiese, Greenleaf, Wis.
13. Sevanna Fairbank, Beaver Dam, Wis.
14. Taylor Lawrence, Brooklyn, Conn.
15. Stella Jauquet, Luxemburg, Wis.
Senior (Ages 17-21):
1. Logan Harbaugh, Marion, Wis.
2. Isaac Folts, North Collins, N.Y.
3. Sarah Hill, Bristol, Vt.
4. Chase Savage, Union Bridge, Md.
5. Landen Copenhaver, Lebanon, Penn.
6. Lilly Elsass, Wapakoneta, Ohio
7. Aubree Topp, Botkins, Ohio
8. Alexis Schultz, Marion, N.Y.
9. Kyla Johnson, Tomah, Wis.
10. Taylor Mathers, Winchester, Ontario, Canada
11. Kiara Konyn, San Diego, Calif.
12. Josh Brander, Rockwood, Ontario, Canada
13. Kathrin Hanemann, Deerfield, Wis.
14. Tessa Schmocker, Whitewater, Wis.
15. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event is taking place in Madison, Wis. September 30 – October 3, 2025. Dairy producers can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.
