The team from the Badger State consisted of Ben Buske, Matthew Gunst, Dawson Nickels, and Kylie Nickels, and their coaches were Linda Behling and Carrie Warmka. All four teammates earned All American honors, but even more impressively, they also all finished in the top 5 individually for reasons.
Wisconsin ended the day with 2,017 points, just three points better than the second place team from Maryland. Team members included Todd Allen, Faith Burton, Alicia Hoff, and Ethan Miller. They were coached by Kelly Zepp and Parker Welch. The third place team was from Missouri, followed by the teams from Minnesota and Michigan in fourth and fifth.
Kylie Nickels from Wisconsin was the top individual overall. She also placed fourth in reasons. Minnesota’s Jacob Twohey was second, followed by a duo from Maryland, Todd Allen and Faith Burton, who finished in third and fourth. Miriah Dershem from Minnesota rounded out the top five. Karsen Morris from Washington was the top finisher in the placings contest.
Following Wisconsin in the reasons contest was the team from Maryland. Third place went to Missouri, Michigan was fourth, and Minnesota finished fifth.
In individual reasons, Wisconsinites Matthew Gunst, Dawson Nickels, Ben Buske, and Kylie Nickels finished first, second, fourth and fifth, respectively. Maryland’s Faith Burton finished in third.
Congratulations to all 4-H members who participated in the 2017 contest!
The author is an associate editor and covers animal health, dairy housing and equipment, and nutrient management. She grew up on a dairy farm near Plymouth, Wis., and previously served as a University of Wisconsin agricultural extension agent. She received a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
