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Six 4-H’ers claim Grand Champion titles

4-H’ers pour their heart and soul into their projects – and for six 4-H’ers Sunday was a night they’ll never forget.

Fifteen year old Travis Wallen of Johnson County spent every day working with his barrow with the hopes of making it to the Championship Drive in the Coliseum at the Indiana State Fair.

After all his hard work – his barrow was named Grand Champion on Sunday night.  “I just didn’t know what to do,” he says.  “It was really nerve wracking.  I worked really hard for it and I want to thank my parents and my grandparents for everything they’ve done.  It’s just been a great experience.”

AUDIO: Travis Wallen, Johnson County

Brad Bertlet of Cass County exhibited the Grand Champion Meat Goat Wether and says it was a team effort to get this far.

He tells Brownfield the judge said his animal was unique and stood out from the rest.  “He’s got a lot of shape to him,” he says.  “He’s a big topped, heavy muscled type goat that’s really cool from the side.  He’s a really nice goat.”

AUDIO: Brad Bertlet, Cass County

Cayde Selke of Clinton County exhibited the Grand Champion Steer.  He says the experience was better than anything he could ever imagine happening.  “Anything that you can dream of that happens – that’s great – is in this industry,” he says.  “It happens here.  Everything just falls in line.  I love this industry and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

AUDIO: Cayed Selke, Clinton County

Austin Bernicky of Elkhart County exhibited the Champion Market Lamb.  He says the experience was a thrill.  “It was really exciting,” he says.  “I had a lot of help from a lot of people to get here and I want to thank them all.”

AUDIO: Austin Bernicky, Elkhart County

Courtney Lotter of Adams County exhibited the Champion Dairy Steer.  She says she wasn’t expecting this steer to do as well as it did.  “The judge said that think as much of him this morning and didn’t really remember him,” she says.  “But he told me as soon as he walked into the ring tonight with the other lighter colored steers he looked slick and he looked nice and there was no doubt in his mind he was going to be the champion tonight.”

AUDIO: Courtney Lotter, Adams County

Jade Michael of Wabash County exhibited the Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen.

On August 21st, the top placing 4-H members will be recognized for all of their hard work at the Celebration of Champions.  The Indiana State Fair Foundation has raised more than $100,000 to provide the monetary awards for the top placing individuals in each species.