2026 Knox County Junior Fair Sale of Champions Broadcast on WNZR – the tradition continues

WNZR was proud to broadcast live at the Knox County Fair Sale of Champions
Did you miss WNZR’s broadcast of the 2026 Sale of Champions? Good News!
You can find the full broadcast HERE or click on the link below.
Listen in as WNZR’s Joe Rinehart talks with the Grand Champions and Reserve Champion winners from this year’s Knox County Fair. You can also hear Marcy Rinehart give results from each animal sold. Thanks to all the buyers that participated.
You can find an album of pictures on our Facebook page and on the Scrapbook Page of our website wnzr.fm

The unofficial total from the Sale of Champions was over $89,500!

Market Beef

  • The Grand Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Kellen Algire of Fredericktown.  Kellen is part of the Country Critters 4H Club.
    • Alumni Roofing bought the animal for a price of $6,000.
  • The Reserve Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Kayleen Small of Fredericktown. She is part of the Boots and Banners 4H Club.  Kayleen also won 3rd place Overall Carcass.
    • Small’s Asphalt Company bought the animal for a price of $9,000.

Dairy Market Feeders

  • The Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Ethan Swendal of Danville. Ethan is part of the Creative Kids 4H Club. Ethan is also the Age 18 Skillathon Winner for Dairy Market Feeders.
    • Alumni Roofing bought the animal for a price of $3,000
  • The Reserve Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Gage Robinson of Fredericktown.  Gage is part of the Knox Cattle Kids 4H Club.  Gage is also the Age 14 Skillathon Winner for Dairy Market Feeders.
    • Knox Community Hospital bought the animal for a price of $3,750.

Pen of 3 Market Lambs

  • The Grand Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs was shown by Berta Gomez-Sica of Danville.  Berta is part of the Better Livestock 4H Club.
    • JDC Livestock LLC bought the animals for a price of $3,000.
  • The Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Joseph Ball from Danville with Better Livestock 4H Club.
    • Kari Ball Agency purchased the animals for a price of $5,000

Market Lambs

  • The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Mason Reynolds of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Mason was also the Champion Senior Showman and the Age 16 Skillathon Winner for Market Lambs.
    • A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $5,000
      • They included: All Weather Systems Inc., Granville Milling Company, United Producers Inc. and Xtreme Asphalt and Sealcoating
  • The Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Kinsley Prosser of Fredericktown with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Kinsley is also the Reserve Champion 1st Year Showman. 
    • TK’s Ice Cream bought the animal for a price of $4,500

Turkeys

  • The Grand Champion Turkey was shown by Brynley Kirkpatrick from Butler with the Clear Fork FFA.
    • Adena Corporation bought the animal for a price of $2,750
  • The Reserve Champion Turkey was shown by Carl Dickerson from Fredericktown with the Smokin’ Spurs 4H Club.
    • Raine Aesthetics bought the animal for a price of $3,750

Market Dairy Steers

  • The Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Ethan Swendal of Danville with Creative Kids 4H Club. Ethan is also the Age 18 Skillathon Winner for Market Dairy Steers.
    • Didinger Crop Services bought the animal for a price of $3,500
  • The Reserve Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown Ethan Swendal of Danville with the Creative Kids 4H Club. Ethan was also 4th Place Overall Carcass.
    • A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $5,500
      • They included: Killbuck Savings Bank of Danville and Howard, The Magers Family and Swendal and Son Trucking.

Market Goats

  • The Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Nash Stull of Fredericktown. Nash is part of the Country Critters 4H Club.  He is also the Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman. 
    • Knox Community Hospital bought the animal for a price of $3,500
  • The Reserve Champion Market Goat was shown by Taylor Meade of Warsaw. Taylor is part of the Danville FFA.
    • Nick Blanchard bought the animal for a price of $3,500

Broilers (Chicken)

  • The Grand Champion Broilers (pen of 3) were shown by Daisy Cline of Howard with the Contender’s 4H Club. Daisy was also the Reserve 1st Year Showman.
    • Park National Bank bought the animals for a price of $4,500
  • The Reserve Champion Broilers were shown by Abigail Untied of Walhonding with the Clinton Clovers 4H Club.
    • Trillium Farms bought the animals for a price of $3,500

Market Hogs

  • The Grand Champion Hog was shown by Carder McConachie of Mount Vernon with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Carder was also the Light Weight Division Champion.
    • TD Landscape purchased the hog for a price of $4,250
  • The Reserve Champion Hog was shown by Addison McGuire of Centerburg with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Addison was also the Heavy Weight Division Champion, Showmanship Winner for Age 14, and Master Showman.
    • A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $9,000
      • They included: Fredericktown Chevrolet, Fox Swim Solutions, Barb Family Farm, KN Excavation, Forman Realtors, and Forman Realtors-Jennifer Fielding

Market Rabbits

  • The Grand Champion Rabbits (Market Fryers) were shown by Macy Miller of Mount Vernon with the Down On The Farm 4H Club.
    • Smithhisler Meats bought the animals for a price of $3,750
  • The Reserve Champion Market Rabbits were shown by Annalia Wolf of Mount Vernon from the Down on the Farm 4H Club.
    • THR Creekside Home Inspections bought the animals for a price of $2,750

There was one 4H member with MULTIPLE ANIMALS in the Sale:

Ethan Swendal had the:
1. Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder – sold for $3,000
2. Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer – sold for $3,500
3. Reserve Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer – sold for $5,500
Ethan’s Sale Total: $12,000

Congratulations to these special award winners that were announced at the Sale of Champions:

The Junior Fair Sales Committee presented a Hall of Fame Award this year.
This award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond normal efforts to benefit the sale, the Junior Fair and most importantly the Knox County Youth involved in 4H and FFA.
The 2026 recipient is: Larry Hall, long-time 4H Educator with the OSU Extension Office of Knox County

David Greer Award from Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club:
Presented in honor of David Greer and his legacy of serving the community. He has served as a trustee and Vice President of the Knox County Historical Society and secretary for the Knox County Ag Museum. His background is in teaching including 16 years at Danville High School. He served for many years as a volunteer with many 4H programs in Knox County.
The scholarships were presented by Wendi Fowler, Mike Copley, and Crystal Snell-Tomes from Kiwanis.
$500 scholarship – Lane Dugan
$250 scholarship – Austin Frazier

2026 Knox County Fair Royalty:

2026 Junior Fair Queen – Sophie Wolf

2026 Junior Fair King – Will Stokes

2026 Little Miss Knox County – Hallie Johnson

2026 Little Mr. Knox County – Karsten Tedrow

2026 Horse Queen – Luci Byler

2026 Horse Prince – Michael Carpenter


Knox County Junior Fair Outstanding Exhibitors:

Market Beef – Bailey Smith

Beef Feeder – Cade Strausbaugh

Dairy Market Feeder – Taylor Tyson

Market Dairy Steer – Ethan Swendal

Market Goat – Brock Mason

Rabbit – Blake Hegemier

Sheep – Sutton Reynolds

Swine – Addison Parker

Poultry – Bristol Hegemier

Turkey – Kennedy Black


Knox County Junior Fair Ambassadors:

Junior Poultry – Teegan Riddle

Senior Poultry – Adysson Gerhart

Senior Rabbit – Sophie Wolf

Junior Goat – Isabel Lewis

Senior Goat – Meira Bryant

Junior Swine – Priscilla Smith and Matilda Sulzer

Senior Sheep – Isabella Byler

Senior Dairy – Sierra Shields

Senior Beef – Lane Dugan

Junior Beef – Zoey Shelley

Horse Queen – Luci Byler

Horse Prince – Michael Carpenter

Knox County Cattleman’s Awards:
The Knox County Cattlemen’s Association presented a $500 scholarship to a student pursuing college or technical school education.  The recipient is a current cattle exhibitor at the Knox County Fair pursuing their field of study in a post-secondary institution, preferably studying agriculture, specifically Animal Science.  The applicant’s family will be current members of the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association.
2026 Scholarship Recipient: Lane Dugan from Fredericktown

Cattleman’s Awards:

Dairy Beef Herdsman: Austin Robinson

Beef Herdsman: Lane Dugan

Market Dairy Steer Grand Champion Carcass: Austin Robinson


Market Dairy Steer Reserve Champion Carcass: Kenzi Staats

Beef Grand Champion Carcass: James Stachler


Beef Reserve Champion Carcass: Bailee Smith

Beef Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Malia Goodwin


Beef Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Cade Strausbaugh

Dairy Market Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson


Dairy Market Feeder – Born, Bred and Raised sed Reserve Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson

Market Beef – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Frazier


Market Beef – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Malachi Goodwin

Market Dairy Steer – Born, Bred and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson


Market Dairy Steer – Born, Bred and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson


Senior Fair Board Scholarships:
The Senior Fair Board presented two $200 scholarships. These scholarships are for 2026 graduates and had an essay-driven application.
2026 Winners: Raegan Blanchard and Kenlee Fairall

Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award:
This award is sponsored by JDC Livestock and is dedicated to Gage Moody’s memory. It aims to recognize individuals who demonstrate the following qualities:

  • Daily effort and commitment
  • Setting a positive example for others
  • Showing passion for their project despite being perceived as the underdog.

Kinsley Prosser and Haley Unger each were recognized with the Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award, and each received a $750 scholarship.

The Junior Fair Board also received a check for $500 from Farm Credit Mid-America. This check was given for their Stock the Trailer collection for a local food pantry. They are still collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations. You can drop off donations at the main Fair Board Office. Our Knox County Junior Fair Board is competing against other Junior Fair Boards across Ohio.

Love Like Linda Scholarship:
The family of Linda Dowalter is pleased to announce the establishment of the “Love Like Linda Scholarship.”
“Love Like Linda” is an inspiring concept encouraging individuals to embrace a life filled with compassion, kindness, and selflessness. It embodies the idea of living with an open heart, much like Linda – she was a mom, sister, aunt, and grandma, who was known for her unwavering love and generosity. Loving like Linda means actively listening to others, showing empathy, and offering support without expecting anything in return. It’s about positively impacting the lives of those around you, whether through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of support. By adopting this mindset, we can cultivate deeper connections and create a more compassionate world, one interaction at a time. The Dowalter Family is honored and pleased to present this scholarship to someone who embodies the personality Linda exhibited every day of her life and encouraged others to exhibit as well.

This nonrenewable scholarship will be issued to one individual meeting the following criteria.

• 2026 High School Graduate OR
• Exhibitor that 2026 is their last year of eligibility
• Good Standing 4H or FFA Member
• Will be or is currently attending a two- or four-year technical school or university/college

The applicant was required to write an essay answering the following prompt: “What the characteristic selflessness means to me”.

They were also required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation from non-family members explaining how the applicant exhibits selflessness.  

Taylor Thorne was recognized with the “Love Like Linda Scholarship” and received a $1,000 scholarship.

NEW FOR 2026 – POMONA GRANGE SCHOLARSHIP
The Pomona Grange gave two $200 scholarships for qualified individuals who attend a technical school and have the intention of continuing their education and/or occupation in the agricultural industry.

2026 Scholarship Winners: Kenlee Fairall and Raegan Blanchard

Another NEW Scholarship was awarded based on this year’s theme for the Knox County Fair. The Building for a Stronger Tomorrow Award was presented to Will Stokes, this year’s Junior Fair King.

Thanks to our partners for helping us bring you live results from this year’s Sale of Champions.

Thanks to:
– CES Credit Union
– The Knox County Career Center
– Revere Roofing Company
– The Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals
– Valley ATV
– Wendys of Mount Vernon

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