The next generation of Champaign County livestock exhibitors made an impressive statement at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, as two young sisters from West Liberty-Salem led a week of outstanding performances while fellow county exhibitors also earned prestigious breed honors in the Junior Market Lamb Show.
Brynn Watson, a third-grade student at West Liberty-Salem, enjoyed one of the biggest moments of the week in the junior cattle competition. After winning first place in her class, Brynn advanced to the championship drive, where she was selected as the Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf, placing her among the top young cattle exhibitors in Ohio.
Her younger sister, Bryton Watson, an incoming kindergarten student at West Liberty-Salem, also turned in an impressive performance during her Ohio State Fair appearance. Competing against exhibitors from across the state, Bryton earned a top placing in her class while demonstrating the confidence, composure, and showmanship of an experienced exhibitor despite her young age.
The sisters spent months preparing for the state’s premier livestock exhibition, dedicating countless hours to feeding, grooming, training, and caring for their heifers. Their efforts culminated in strong performances that reflected not only their commitment to their projects but also the support of their family and the agricultural community.
West Liberty-Salem Schools congratulated Brynn and Bryton on their accomplishments, praising their hard work, dedication, and outstanding representation of the Tiger community. With both girls already finding success at such an early age, they appear poised for bright futures in Ohio’s livestock industry.
Photos of Brynn and Bryton Watson are courtesy of the West Liberty-Salem Local School Facebook page.
The success didn’t stop in the cattle barns for Champaign County exhibitors.
In the 2026 Ohio State Fair Junior Market Lamb Show, Payton Prince earned Reserve Champion Shropshire during the breed champion competition. The achievement came after months of raising, feeding, and preparing her market lamb, allowing her to stand among Ohio’s top youth sheep exhibitors.
Fellow Champaign County exhibitor Cameron Prince also brought home elite honors, earning Reserve Champion Southdown in the highly competitive breed championship. Cameron’s accomplishment highlighted the quality of livestock being produced by local youth and the dedication required to compete successfully at the state level.
The Ohio State Fair Junior Market Lamb Show annually features many of Ohio’s best young livestock exhibitors, with competitors showcasing market lamb projects they have spent months developing. Success at the fair reflects not only the quality of the animals but also the exhibitors’ knowledge, work ethic, sportsmanship, and commitment to agriculture.
Together, the accomplishments of Brynn and Bryton Watson, Payton Prince, and Cameron Prince made for an exceptional week for Champaign County at the Ohio State Fair, highlighting the strength of the area’s youth livestock programs and the promising future of its agricultural leaders.
