KANSAS CITY—Junior swine exhibitors from across the country gathered in Kansas City, Mo., to compete for top honors in the American Royal Junior Swine Showmanship Contest held Saturday, Oct. 27. Bruce Engnell of Macomb, Ill., evaluated the showmen and selected Lexi Marek of Riverside, Iowa, as Champion Swine Showman. The Reserve Champion Swine Showman was Colt Conner of Tuttle, Okla.

Division I Showmanship (9-12 years of age)

Champion: Payton Hines of Quincy, Mich.

Reserve Champion: Brody Nemecek of Iola, Kan.

Division II Showmanship (13-16 years of age)

Champion: Colt Conner of Tuttle, Okla.

Reserve Champion: Skylar Knapp of Greenfield, Ind.

Division III Showmanship (17-20 years of age)

Champion: Lexi Marek of Riverside, Iowa

Reserve Champion: Austin Lester of Quitman, Ark.

The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has been a Kansas City tradition since 1899. Each year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex. In 2011, the Royal was able to give $1.4 million in scholarship and educational awards. In addition to its educational mission, the American Royal generates some $60 million of economic impact, $4.4 million in local tax revenues, and supports 450 jobs. For more information about the American Royal livestock shows, contact Karrie Manley at 816-569-4054 or [email protected].

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