MARYSVILLE – Youth from across Ohio showcased their skills and beef industry knowledge during the Ohio Beef Youth Council (OBYC) Salesmanship and Skillathon contests held Saturday, April 18, at the new Multispecies Animal Learning Complex located at the CFAES Agriculture and Natural Resources Laboratory on the Ohio State University campus.
The main objective of Individual Sales is to give juniors a glimpse into a real-life selling scenario while emphasizing the importance of strong communication skills, effective marketing techniques, and a solid understanding of performance data, pedigree, and market information.
Similarly, the OCA BEST Skillathon aims to provide juniors with the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of key topics within the beef industry, including reproduction, nutrition, health, and meats, helping them build a well-rounded foundation in the field.
The contest consisted of four age divisions: Beginner, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.
Over 50 exhibitors combined to participate in the two contests. The top five results for each age division in both contests can be found below:
Salesmanship
BEGINNER DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Tyson Arnett, Richland County
Second High Individual – Ashley Shaver, Medina County
Third High Individual – Kennedy Hamilton, Highland County
Fourth High Individual – Lydia Lashley, Portage County
Fifth High Individual – Bellamy Ellington, Stark County
JUNIOR DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Abigail Krone, Medina County
Second High Individual – Natalie Atterholt, Ashland County
Third High Individual – Claire Atterholt, Ashland County
Fourth High Individual – Jordan Hartschuh, Crawford County
Fifth High Individual – Blake Osborn, Highland County
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Caraline Holden, Warren County
Second High Individual – Garrett Wells, Ross County
Third High Individual – Lilly Gahler, Ottawa County
Fourth High Individual – Natalie Liston, Medina County
Fifth High Individual – Griffin Gahler, Ottawa County
SENIOR DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Wyatt Osborn, Highland County
Second High Individual – Emma Lewis, Lorain County
Third High Individual – Kelsey Kaeser, Ashland County
Skillathon
BEGINNER DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Tyson Arnett, Richland County
Second High Individual – Lydia Lashley, Portage County
Third High Individual – Kennedy Hamilton, Highland County
Fourth High Individual – Ashley Shaver, Medina County
Fifth High Individual – Bellamy Ellington, Stark County
JUNIOR DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Claire Atterholt, Ashland County
Second High Individual – Jordan Hartschuh, Crawford County
Third High Individual – Dwight Hartschuh, Crawford County
Fourth High Individual – Natalie Atterholt, Ashland County
Fifth High Individual – Abigail Krone, Medina County
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Caraline Holden, Warren County
Second High Individual – Lilly Gahler, Ottawa County
Third High Individual – Garrett Wells, Ross County
Fourth High Individual – Natalie Liston, Medina County
SENIOR DIVISION
Overall High Individual – Isabel Hiles, Pickaway
Second High Individual – Kelsey Kaeser, Ashland County
Third High Individual – Emma Lewis, Lorain County
Fourth High Individual – Wyatt Osborn, Highland County
Salesmanship and Skillathon are the two final contests of the OBYC stockmanship contests supported by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the Ohio Beef Council.
These contests aim to promote industry knowledge, hands-on learning, and leadership development among Ohio’s next generation of beef producers and advocates.
Overall high point winners from all the Stockmanship contests combined will be recognized at the end of year celebration on June 5.
Registration is now open and can be completed at https://ncba-uvcwn.formstack.com/forms/obycendofyearcelebrationrsvp2026 until May 25.
For more information about the Ohio Beef Youth Council and OBYC stockmanship contests, visit www.ohiocattle.org.
Ohio Cattleman’s Association
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association is a non-profit membership organization that represents the business interests important to farm families that raise cattle. It serves as the voice and issues manager for all of Ohio’s beef cattle business including cattle breeders, producers and feeders.
It is the beef industry’s grassroots policy development organization and is an affiliate of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association strives to maintain profitability and growth of Ohio’s beef industry, while providing consumers with safe and wholesome beef.