By: Gavyn Heitman
The 2026 Champaign County Junior Dairy Showmanship Show recognized some of the top junior dairy showmen in the area Monday.
Around 8:30 a.m., crowds gathered in the Woodruff Show Arena as junior showmen entered the arena to showcase their projects and compete for top honors.
The results of the 2026 Junior Dairy Showmanship Show were:
Senior Showman: Savanna Thomas
Class 1:
- Savanna Thomas
- Sophie Tomlinson
Intermediate Showman: Avery Randall
Class 1:
- Abbigail Burch
- Graham Jenkins
- Mya Jones
- Avery Randall
- Lily Swank
Junior Showman: Jax Ayers
Class 1:
- Jax Ayers
- Kolton Eades
- Sarah Huffman
- Brynlee Randall
- Samuel Lamb
- Maverick Melvin
- Rhenna Smith
- Camryn Thomas
Rookie Showman: Olivia Weisent
Class 1:
- Bailey Boggs
- Makena Harless
- Maliah Harless
- Olivia Linsky
- Kylee Moore
- Simon Thomas
- Olivia Weisent
Dairy Showman of Showmen: Kendall Thomas
Class 1:
- Olivia Weisent
- Jax Ayers
- Avery Randall
- Savanna Thomas
- Kendall Thomas
Following the Junior Dairy Showmanship Show, the inaugural 2026 Champaign County Dairy Hall of Fame Class was announced.
2026 Champaign County Dairy Hall of Fame Class
- Gerald and Joy Askew
- Don and Joanne Barger
- Charles and Steven Cooper
- Jim and Kay Morgan
- Howard and Marcella Peters
- Wayne and Connie Sliker
- Bob and Dorothy Snyder
- Lowell and Julia Stevens
- Ray and Patsy Woodruff
The 2026 Junior Dairy Showmanship Show showcased the hard work and dedication of young dairy exhibitors throughout Champaign County.
Following the show, the inaugural Champaign County Dairy Hall of Fame Class was met with rousing applause from the audience as each inductee was recognized for their years of contributions to the dairy industry and the local community.
