Results announced for State Fair’s Master Showmanship competition

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Toby Behrends of Sheffield was named Grand Champion Overall Master Showman during the 2026 Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

Sixty-six young livestock exhibitors competed for the Master Showman title. The exhibitors, who were the winners of their respective 4-H county contests, showcased their skills and knowledge of animal husbandry on Aug. 14 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

This prestigious competition invites 4-H members ages 14 to 18 to display their showmanship skills across three species — beef, sheep and swine.

The competitors 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 — Toby Behrends, Bureau County, daughter of David and Marinda Behrends.

• Reserve Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Alivia Porter, Iroquois County, daughter of Erik and Misha Porter and Jared Finegan.

• Third Place Overall — Ryker Beckmier, Christian County, son of Tucker and Megan Beckmier.

• Fourth Place Overall — Bayli Brown, Lawrence County, daughter of Michal Hendy and Glenn Brown.

• Fifth Place Overall — Taylor Hendel, Fulton County, daughter of Shawn and Robyn Hendel.

Beef Division

• Champion: Wyatt DeAth, Vermilion County, son of BJ and Laura DeAth.

• Reserve Champion: Kinley Stolte, Montgomery County, daughter of Matt and Amy Stolte.

• Third Place: Callie Turner, Champaign County, daughter of Luke and Amanda Turner.

Swine Division

• Champion: Austin Komnick, Sangamon County, son of Jason and Melissa Komnick.

• Reserve Champion: Krosby Goebel, Crawford County, son of Kurtis and Shannon Goebel.

• Third Place: Dillyn Heslop, Stephenson County, son of Dean and Kayla Heslop.

Sheep Division

• Champion: JW Simms-Reisner, Edwards County, son of Amanda Simms and Kenny Garrett.

• Reserve Champion: Cole Knittel, McLean County, son of Rodney and Stephanie Knittel.

• Third Place: Callie Turner, Champaign County, daughter of Luke and Amanda Turner.

Prize Packages

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 bluetooth speaker. Each contest participant received a T-shirt, bucket, harness and $25 gift card.

This year marked the 26th annual Master Showmanship Contest held at the Illinois State Fair.

This year’s contest was hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau. IFB President Philip Nelson presented the awards.