Grinnell’s Megan Mauss crowned top showman at the Poweshiek County Fair

​       Megan Mauss, center, who was crowned the 2022 Poweshiek County Fair Supreme Showman, is shown with all the competitors in the Supreme Showman Competition held on Sunday, July 17. Pictured are, from left: Adam Carrothers, livestock judge; James Gruver, Megan Mauss, Dominick Clayton (back), Dayton Mortvedt (front) and Sophia Semprini. Megan is pictured with her winning banner and director’s chair. She also received a $100 gift.

By J.O. Parker
 
     Grinnell’s Megan Mauss took top honors at the first Supreme Showman Competition at the 2022 Poweshiek County Fair.
       The contest, which was held on Sunday, July 17, pitted the best overall showman of the five animal species – beef, sheep, goats, swine and horses – against each other. Each showman was challenged with showing all five animals (not including their own) and judged on how they did.
        Those participating included Megan Mauss, swine; Dominick Clayton, goats; Dayton Mortvedt, sheep; James Gruver, beef; and Sophia Semprini, horses.
          “My favorite part was leaning how to show other animals,” said Dayton Mortvedt, who showed sheep and goats at the county fair. “I enjoyed showing the hogs. I had fun and a good time.”
            Megan Mauss, who won the event, said the contest was challenging.
            “I’ve never shown sheep in my life,” she said. “It was a fun way to end the fair.”
Sophia Semprini said it was interesting getting to show a pig and goat.
        “I’ve never shown anything (outside of a horse) other than a bottle calf,” Sophia said. “It was a fun experience.”
           James Gruver, who knows a thing or two about showing cattle, said it was a fun experience showing the other animals.
          “It was different, but fun showing the other animals,” said Gruver.
        “It was fun and an interesting experience showing other livestock in the showring,” said Dominick Clayton of the competition.
         “It’s really interesting and different,” said Adam Carrothers, livestock judge of the show. “I think each one did very well. Everyone was enthusiastic.”
         “It was a class of great showman who stepped outside their comfort zone and did a great job showing other species,” said Cory Brand, fairboard member and competition emcee.

Horse Showmanship

Beef Showmanship

Sheep Showmanship

Goat Showmanship

Swine Showmanship

      Each Supreme Showmanship competitor received a custom-made metal coat rack. Pictured are, from left: Megan Mauss, Sophia Semprini, Dominick Clayton, Dayton Mortvedt, James Gruver and Adam Carrothers, livestock judge at the event held on Sunday, July 17.