Before the type classes of World Dairy Expo get underway, junior exhibitors have the opportunity to put their fitting and showmanship skills to the test. The fitting competition was the first of Expo’s contests to be completed when it wrapped up Saturday morning.

There were 41 youth who took to the Sale Pavilion with clippers in hand, and when the buzz died down, Kyle Welk of Peach Bottom, Pa., took home the Michael Heath Overall Fitter Award. That distinction comes with a $1,000 prize, plaque, and custom embroidered jacket.

Welk first ascended to the top of the senior male division of the contest, where he earned a set of clippers and a $50 prize. Second in the division was Pennsylvania’s Kolby Stoltzfus, third was Payton Calvert of Wisconsin, fourth went to Wesley Brantner from Pennsylvania, and fifth was Evan Cooper from Massachusetts.

Dawson Nickels of Wisconsin evaluated the senior contestants, youth members between the ages of 17 and 21. Among the senior females, Alexis Blankenberg of Wisconsin rose to the top; she also earned a pair of clippers and a $50 prize. Jamie Gibbs of Minnesota was second, Wisconsin’s Olivia Jennrich was third, Hannah Gingerich of Pennsylvania was fourth, and Minnesota’s Kayla Visser rounded out the top five.

Youth between the ages of 13 and 17 participated in the intermediate divisions. Josh Karn of Ontario placed these contestants.

Kayla Trustem of Wisconsin repeated her victory from last year as the intermediate female winner; she received a $50 cash prize. Kamrie Mauer of Minnesota was second, Jazlynn Olson of Wisconsin earned third, and Emma Roeben from Rhode Island finished fourth.

Jayse Pudwill of Illinois earned first place and a $50 cash prize among the intermediate males. Second went to Braden Bechel from Wisconsin, third was Ontario native Devin Coleman, fourth was Wisconsin’s Benny Uhe, and fifth went to Ethan Staudinger from Wisconsin.

In the fitting contest, youth have one hour to fit an animal to be showring ready; only the legs and head may be clipped prior. Contestants are evaluated on proper topline grooming, body clipping technique, ease of handling equipment, proper use of adhesives and sprays, hair blending, and completing the job in the timeframe. Judges observe the participants while they are working, and then animals are led out for a final inspection.