Making History: NWSS ends on a high note with record-breaking livestock sale
After two whirlwind weeks of competitive livestock shows, thrilling entertainment and tough rodeo competition, the 119th National Western Stock Show (NWSS) wrapped up in Denver with a sold-out, record-breaking Auction of Junior Champions on the evening of Jan. 24.
With World Champion Auctioneer John Cory at the helm, the sale shattered multiple records, fetching a record-breaking total of $1,452,500 across 98 animals, which is the highest total in stock show history.
The top eight champion animals sold for a collective $637,000, far surpassing the previous record of $585,000 set in 2023.
According to a Jan. 24 press release, the majority of proceeds go directly to exhibitors to help support their agricultural careers and college education.
“A portion of the proceeds also benefits the National Western Scholarship Trust, which provides scholarships for agriculture studies and rural medicine at colleges across Colorado and Wyoming,” the press release reads. “This year, 110 students received financial support through the program for their education.”
The brief further notes, “This remarkable display of support underscores the community’s commitment to fostering the growth of young agricultural talent and the continued success of the junior livestock auction at NWSS.”
Champion steers
Previous records continued to fall as this year’s champions entered the sale ring.
Madilyn Norvell, a 14-year-old hailing from Tuttle, Okla., brought in $210,000 with her 2025 NWSS Grand Champion Steer Thunder, named after her favorite basketball team – the Oklahoma City Thunder – breaking the previous record of $200,000 set in 2023 by Justin Pfannebecker.
Norvell’s steer was purchased by Hutchison Western in honor of the late Buck Hutchison, a founding member of the junior livestock auction and a devoted supporter of youth in agriculture.
In an emotional interview with 9News Chief Meteorologist Kathy Sabine, Norvell thanked her buyers for “changing her life forever.”
“This is going to allow me to do so many things I have always dreamed of,” she said, noting she plans on using the money to pursue a degree at Oklahoma State University (OSU), a career as an agricultural lobbyist and to show at the NWSS next year.
Fourteen-year-old Rhylee Rodgers of Searsboro, Iowa exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Steer, known as Mogcky, during her first year at the NWSS. Her steer was purchased by Transwest Trucks, Inc. for a record $125,000.
Rodgers told 9News she also plans to attend OSU and remain actively involved in the ag industry.
Winning hogs
Fellow 14-year-old Alice Hawk of Muncie, Ind. exhibited the Grand Champion Hog and broke a record of her own.
Hawk’s hog, by the name of Goose, brought a record $85,000 and was purchased by OXY.
“It’s been a really good year – my best year yet,” she said.
Scout, the 2025 Reserve Grand Champion Hog, was exhibited by 18-year-old Rylee Anderson of Chillicothe, Mo. and was purchased by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for $55,000.
Ending her showing career on a high note, Anderson gave 9News an emotional farewell interview.
“In July, we made the decision this would be my last year after 10 years of showing, and NWSS was the last show I will ever show at,” she said. “Being on the green carpet and getting a handshake was the greatest highlight of my show career.”
Sheep and goats
Fondly referred to as Tucker, the 2025 NWSS Grand Champion Lamb was shown by 18-year-old Clay Randall of Canute, Okla. and sold to TKM Foundation for a record-breaking $52,000.
Randall has been a force in the show industry for nine years and said, most of all, he treasures the connections he has made in a community that feels more like family.
Brayden Bowers, age 15, of Belmont, Wis., exhibited Spook, the Reserve Champion Lamb, which sold for $42,000 to APC Resources.
With six years of showing under his belt, Bowers noted he plans to invest the money in his next crop of show lambs and pigs and to attend college.
Yet another record was broken at the end of the night, when Sayde Allan’s Grand Champion Goat Humble sold for a record $45,000 to Babson Farms.
Hailing from Elk City, Okla., the 15-year-old said her favorite part of showing is traveling across the nation and gaining new experiences.
To round out the sale, 18-year-old Madden Wise of Brownwood, Texas sold his Reserve Champion Goat Phillip for $22,500 to Wagner Equipment Company.
Madden started showing at the age of 10 and aspires to become an agricultural lawyer and business owner.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
After two whirlwind weeks of competitive livestock shows, thrilling entertainment and tough rodeo competition, the 119th National Western Stock Show (NWSS) wrapped up in Denver with a sold-out, record-breaking Auction of Junior Champions on the evening of Jan. 24.
With World Champion Auctioneer John Cory at the helm, the sale shattered multiple records, fetching a record-breaking total of $1,452,500 across 98 animals, which is the highest total in stock show history.
The top eight champion animals sold for a collective $637,000, far surpassing the previous record of $585,000 set in 2023.
According to a Jan. 24 press release, the majority of proceeds go directly to exhibitors to help support their agricultural careers and college education.
“A portion of the proceeds also benefits the National Western Scholarship Trust, which provides scholarships for agriculture studies and rural medicine at colleges across Colorado and Wyoming,” the press release reads. “This year, 110 students received financial support through the program for their education.”
The brief further notes, “This remarkable display of support underscores the community’s commitment to fostering the growth of young agricultural talent and the continued success of the junior livestock auction at NWSS.”
Champion steers
Previous records continued to fall as this year’s champions entered the sale ring.
Madilyn Norvell, a 14-year-old hailing from Tuttle, Okla., brought in $210,000 with her 2025 NWSS Grand Champion Steer Thunder, named after her favorite basketball team – the Oklahoma City Thunder – breaking the previous record of $200,000 set in 2023 by Justin Pfannebecker.
Norvell’s steer was purchased by Hutchison Western in honor of the late Buck Hutchison, a founding member of the junior livestock auction and a devoted supporter of youth in agriculture.
In an emotional interview with 9News Chief Meteorologist Kathy Sabine, Norvell thanked her buyers for “changing her life forever.”
“This is going to allow me to do so many things I have always dreamed of,” she said, noting she plans on using the money to pursue a degree at Oklahoma State University (OSU), a career as an agricultural lobbyist and to show at the NWSS next year.
Fourteen-year-old Rhylee Rodgers of Searsboro, Iowa exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Steer, known as Mogcky, during her first year at the NWSS. Her steer was purchased by Transwest Trucks, Inc. for a record $125,000.
Rodgers told 9News she also plans to attend OSU and remain actively involved in the ag industry.
Winning hogs
Fellow 14-year-old Alice Hawk of Muncie, Ind. exhibited the Grand Champion Hog and broke a record of her own.
Hawk’s hog, by the name of Goose, brought a record $85,000 and was purchased by OXY.
“It’s been a really good year – my best year yet,” she said.
Scout, the 2025 Reserve Grand Champion Hog, was exhibited by 18-year-old Rylee Anderson of Chillicothe, Mo. and was purchased by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for $55,000.
Ending her showing career on a high note, Anderson gave 9News an emotional farewell interview.
“In July, we made the decision this would be my last year after 10 years of showing, and NWSS was the last show I will ever show at,” she said. “Being on the green carpet and getting a handshake was the greatest highlight of my show career.”
Sheep and goats
Fondly referred to as Tucker, the 2025 NWSS Grand Champion Lamb was shown by 18-year-old Clay Randall of Canute, Okla. and sold to TKM Foundation for a record-breaking $52,000.
Randall has been a force in the show industry for nine years and said, most of all, he treasures the connections he has made in a community that feels more like family.
Brayden Bowers, age 15, of Belmont, Wis., exhibited Spook, the Reserve Champion Lamb, which sold for $42,000 to APC Resources.
With six years of showing under his belt, Bowers noted he plans to invest the money in his next crop of show lambs and pigs and to attend college.
Yet another record was broken at the end of the night, when Sayde Allan’s Grand Champion Goat Humble sold for a record $45,000 to Babson Farms.
Hailing from Elk City, Okla., the 15-year-old said her favorite part of showing is traveling across the nation and gaining new experiences.
To round out the sale, 18-year-old Madden Wise of Brownwood, Texas sold his Reserve Champion Goat Phillip for $22,500 to Wagner Equipment Company.
Madden started showing at the age of 10 and aspires to become an agricultural lawyer and business owner.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
