Livestock judgers compete at state 4-H contest

On Aug. 13 during the 2024 Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, 4-H livestock judgers from across the Cowboy State proved tough competition during the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. 

After sorting through various classes of cattle, hogs, goats and sheep, top-scoring teams and individuals were recognized. 

In the junior division, Sam Vasek of Albany County was crowned top individual, scoring a total of 539 points. Vasek was followed by Sammy Boardman of Big Horn County in second place with 535 points and Lacy Anderson of Fremont County in third place with 526 points. 

Albany County’s junior team swept the competition, earning a total of 1,542 points for the team win. Washakie County was the closest competition, securing 1,338 points for a second-place win, and Natrona County’s junior team finished third with 1,022 points. 

Jadyn Lake of Albany County was the high-scoring individual in the intermediate division. Lake put up a total score of 551 points. 

With 544 points, Reece West of Laramie County finished second in the individual standings, followed by Wynn West of Sheridan County with 543 points. 

Albany County claimed their second first-place finish of the day in the intermediate team competition, posting 1,620 total points. Platte County’s intermediate team finished second with 1,565 points and Sheridan County rounded out the top three with 1,545 points. 

Competition got tighter in the senior division, and Natrona County’s Garrett Burkett was able to score an additional five points to take home honors as the high-scoring senior individual with 575 points. 

With 570 points, JJ Lipp of Weston County was the second highest-scoring individual. One point separated Lipp from the third-place position, where Jhett West of Sheridan County and Connor Booth of Natrona County tied with 569 points. 

Natrona County swept the team competition with an impressive 1,705 points. Laramie County came the closest, scoring 1,649 points for a second-place finish, one point in front of Albany County, finishing third with 1,648 points.