MADISON, Wis. – Wesley Brantner of Oxford, Pennsylvania, was named the overall fitting champion in the World Dairy Expo® Youth Fitting Contest held here on Saturday, September 27 at the Alliant Energy Center.   The achievement earned him the overall fitter award, given in memory of Michael Heath, which included a $1000 cash award and an engraved walnut plaque from the friends and family of Michael Heath. Prior to winning top honors, Wesley had topped the senior male division, which earned him a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Images Custom Embroidery.

In addition, Wesley and Kayla Trustem of Evansville, Wisconsin, received clippers sponsored by Clipper Parts & Repair for topping the senior male and senior female divisions, respectively.

Olivia VanEvera, Cobleskill, N.Y. and Mason Buckley from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada were selected as the top contestants from the intermediate female and intermediate male divisions, respectively. They received cash prizes.

There were 52 participants registered, representing 10 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Contestants, ages 13-21, were given one hour to prepare their animal to be show ring ready. Evan Stanley of Norwood, Ontario, Canada, and Katie Shultz from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, judged the intermediate and senior divisions, respectively. 

The top five finishers from each division were awarded neck ribbons with medallions and cash prizes, courtesy of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative and ABS Global. Placings for the WDE Youth Fitting Contest were as follows:

• Intermediate female division:

1. Olivia VanEvera, Cobleskill, N.Y.
2. Kamrie Mauer, Brownton, Minn.
3. Brooke Mueller, Brodhead, Wis.
4. Jadeyn Mueterthies, Lawler, Iowa

• Intermediate male division:

1. Mason Buckley, Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
2. Benny Uhe, Footville, Wis.
3. Jacob Schimek, Pine Island, Minn.
4. Nicholas Bourque, St. Paul, N.B., Canada
5. Stanley Meacham, Chester, Mass.

• Senior female division:

1. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
2. Kathrin Haneman, Deerfield, Wis.
3. Brooklyn Schwoerer, Edgar, Wis.
4. Makenna Mase, Cochranton, Pa.
5. Kayla Visser, Hutchinson, Minn.

• Senior male division:

1. Wesley Brantner, Oxford, Pa.
2. Payton Calvert, Cuba City, Wis.
3. Suton Paulson, Rockford, Ill.
4. Dillon Freeman, Bremen, Ind.
5. Alexander Burleigh, Muncy, Pa.