Winners of 25th Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest Announced

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Sixty-five young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” on Aug. 8 during the 2025 Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

The exhibitors, who were the winners of their respective 4-H county contests, showcased their skills and knowledge of animal husbandry at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

This prestigious competition invites 4-H members ages 14-18 years to display their showmanship skills across three species – beef, sheep and swine. The 4-Hers were judged on their ability to handle each animal, knowledge of the species and animal husbandry, as well as overall showmanship skills.

Three winners were named for each species and scores for all three species were tallied to determine the top five winners overall. This year’s contest winners are:

Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Hunter Shike, from Sadorus, representing Champaign County. He is the son of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

Reserve Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Cole Kinsella, from Wyoming, Ill., representing Stark County. He is the son of Jim & Joni Kinsella.

Third Place Overall — Laikyn Parchert, from Illinois City, representing Rock Island County. She is the daughter of Tom and Carol Parchert.

Fourth Place Overall — Nolan Hoge, from Good Hope, representing McDonough County. He is the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.

Fifth Place Overall — Carly Powell, from Saint Augustine, representing Knox County. She is the daughter of Justin and Amanda Powell.

Champion Beef Division — Ellie Drach, from Pontiac, representing Livingston County. She is the daughter of Tony and Joy Drach.

Reserve Champion Beef Division — Nolan Hoge, from Good Hope, representing McDonough County. He is the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.

Third Place Beef Division — Carly Powell, from Saint Augustine, representing Knox County. She is the daughter of Justin and Amanda Powell.

Champion Swine Division — Hunter Shike, from Sadorus, representing Champaign County. He is the son of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

Reserve Champion Swine Division — Alaina Diel, from Noble, representing Richland County. She is the daughter of Craig & Christina Diel.

Third Place Swine Division — Aubrey Killey, from Berwick, representing Warren County. She is the daughter of Kevin and DeNeene Killey.

Champion Sheep Division — Kashen Ellerbrock, from Atkinson, representing Henry County. He is the son of Jeff & Kelly Ellerbrock.

Reserve Champion Sheep Division — Kade Beckmier, from Morrisonville, representing Christian County. He is the son of Craig and Michelle Beckmier.

Third Place Sheep Division — Hunter Shike, from Sadorus, representing Champaign County. He is the son of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

Nearly $8,000 worth of prizes donated by sponsors were awarded this year. First, second and third place overall winners received $500, $400 and $300 cash (respectively), a new show box and other various prizes. Fourth and fifth place overall received a $200 and $100 cash (respectively) and other various prizes.

Each species division winner received a $100 gift card and a zero-gravity chair. Each contest participant received a t-shirt, bucket, harness and $25 gift card.

This year marked the 25th Annual Master Showmanship Contest held at the Illinois State Fair. This year’s contest was hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau. Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President Evan Hultine presented the awards. Congratulations to these outstanding young livestock exhibitors!

About Illinois Farm Bureau 

Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information, and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families.

Learn more about Illinois agriculture at www.ilfb.org. Connect with Illinois Farm Bureau on Facebook: Illinois Farm Bureau | Facebook, Instagram @ilfarmbureau, X @ILFarmBureau, or on TikTok @illinoisfarmbureau.

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Pictured left to right: 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher, Nolan Hoge, Fourth Place Overall; Cole Kinsella, Reserve Grand Champion Overall Master Showman; Hunter Shike, Grand Champion Overall Master Showman; Laikyn Parchert, Third Place Overall; Carly Powell, Fifth Place Overall. (Photo by Catrina Rawson, Illinois Farm Bureau)