“This is not an easy project. Whenever you show sheep, it should be a family thing,” stated judge Rod Stoltz.
Many contestants in the sheep show heeded the judge’s advice, as there were several who competed with their family members.
Two sibling competitors were Kristen and Seth Wasilewski. The sister and brother pair has been involved in 4-H for nine and five years, respectively. Inspired to join the program by their family members and friends, they both competed in the August 6 Richland County fair sheep show.
Together, they placed in nine total shows, with Seth Wasilewski placing just ahead of his sister in the overall grand champion show in third.
He mentioned that he enjoys some friendly competition with his sister. “I try to beat her,” he said. And yet, they work well as a team, which was evident when they showed together at the state fair and earned Reserve Grand Champion Yearling Ewe.
They stated that a lot of work goes into showing sheep. “You have to devote a lot of time and patience,” stated Kristen Wasiewski. She added, “We have to work with them several hours a day, but we’ve received help from our family and our friends, the Sloan family.”
Zach Temple was also part of a family of sheep showers at the fair. Temple and his two younger brothers, Bennett and Nathan, all showed sheep on Tuesday.
The eldest mentioned, “It’s fun to show with my brothers. It can be stressful at times when they don’t want to listen, but it’s a good thing that the family can do together.”
The Temples racked up seven places in the different shows.
Results
Grand Champion: Luke Grauer
Reserve Champion: Zach Temple
Third place: Seth Wasilewski
Fourth place: Kristen Wasilewski
Senior Showmanship
- Seth Wasilewski
- Bailey Craner
- Justin Leech
- Casey Walthour
- Sidney Cassidy
Junior Showmanship
- Bennett Temple
- Camden Craner
- Cody Loughman
- Chris Loughman
- Emily Stacy
Novice Showmanship
- Olivia Arnold
- Collin Arnold
- Breanna Swank
- Alex Mowharter
- Kaleb Smith
Pro Showmanship
- Kristen Wasilewski
- Luke Grauer
- Seth Wasilewski
- Zach Temple
- Nathan Temple
Non-sale Class #1
- Karlee Smith
- Emily Stacy
- Jordan Thomas
- Kaiden Thomas
Sale Class #1
- Nathan Temple
- Bennett Temple
- Seth Wasilewski
- Camden Craner
- Cody Loughman
Sale Class #2
- Luke Grauer
- Bailey Craner
- Justin Leech
- Alexander Leech
- Carter Daniel
Sale Class #3
- Bennett Temple
- Paige Arnold
- Jace Craner
- Olivia Arnold
- Collin Arnold
Sale Class #4
- Seth Wasilewski
- Kristen Wasilewski
- Alexander Leech
- Casey Walthour
- Christopher Loughman
Sale Class #5
- Luke Grauer
- Zach Temple
- Kristen Wasilewski
- Justin Leech
- Breanna Swank