MADISON, WIS – Youth across North America participated in the 2025 World Dairy Expo® Youth Fitting Contest on Saturday, September 27 at the Alliant Energy Center. There were 52 participants registered, representing 10 U.S. states and three Canadian province. Contestants, ages 13-21, were given one hour to prepare their animal to be showring ready. Evan Stanley, Norwood, Ontario, Canada, and Katie Shultz, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, judged the intermediate and senior divisions, respectively. Jessica Pralle-Trimner and Nicole Pralle serve as superintendents of this prestigious contest.
After topping the Senior Male Division, Wesley Brantner, Oxford, Pennsylvania, was named the Overall Fitter. In addition to receiving a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Images Custom Embroidery, Brantner also received an Overall Fitter Award in memory of Michael Heath, which included a $1,000 cash award and an engraved walnut plaque from the friends and family of Michael Heath.
Brantner and Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wisconsin, received clippers sponsored by Clipper Parts & Repair for topping the Senior Male and Senior Female Divisions, respectively. Olivia VanEvera, Cobleskill, New York and Mason Buckley, Lindsay, Ontario, Canada were selected as the top contestants from the Intermediate Female and Intermediate Male Divisions, respectively. They received cash prizes for winning their divisions.
The top five finishers from each division were awarded neck ribbons with medallions and cash prizes, courtesy of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative and ABS Global.
Placings for the WDE Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:
Intermediate Female Division:
- Olivia VanEvera, Cobleskill, N.Y.
- Kamrie Mauer, Brownton, Minn.
- Brooke Mueller, Brodhead, Wis.
- Jadeyn Mueterthies, Lawler, Iowa
Intermediate Male Division:
- Mason Buckley, Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
- Benny Uhe, Footville, Wis.
- Jacob Schimek, Pine Island, Minn.
- Nicholas Bourque, Saint-Paul, New Brunswick, Canada
- Stanley Meacham, Chester, Mass.
Senior Female Division:
- Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
- Kathrin Haneman, Deerfield, Wis.
- Brooklyn Schwoerer, Edgar, Wis.
- Makenna Mase, Cochranton, Wis.
- Kayla Visser, Hutchinson, Minn.
Senior Male Division:
- Wesley Brantner, Oxford, Pa.
- Payton Calvert, Cuba City, Wis.
- Suton Paulson, Rockford, Ill.
- Dillon Freeman, Bremen, Ind.
- Alexander Burleigh, Muncy, Pa.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event is taking place in Madison, Wis. September 30 – October 3, 2025. Dairy producers can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.
