Merit Award Winners and Herdsman of the Year Announced
Gold Merit Award Winners
Whitney Olson- Alexandria, MN
Clay Sundburg- Arlington, IL
Cara Smith- Pleasant Garden, NC.
Kennedy Early- Leeton, MO
Lauren Glick- La Prairie, IL
Left to Right: Foundation Board members- Mark Smith, Scott Cowger, Cathy Eichecker, Tonya Phillips, Winners left to right- Kennedy Early, Clay Sundburg, Whitney Olson, Lauren Glick and Cara Smith
Silver Merit Award Winners
Emerson Tarr- LeRoy, IL
Jordan Stephens- Ewing, KY.
Kaitlyn Cowdrey- Russlleville, OH.
Lauren Trauernicht- Wymore, NE.
Leroy Stavinoha III- Eagle Lake, TX.
Mitchell Schmidt- Willow Lake, SD.
Nathan Pulliam- Perkinston, MS.
Rachel Callison- Verona, MO.
Kaitlyn Cloud- Carthage, MO.
Gaberille Nemitz- Canby, MN
Carli Henderson- Wiota, IA
Madyson Frederick- Chadwick, IL.
Pictured left to right: Emerson Tarr, Carli Henderson, Madison Frederick, Jordan Stephens, Katelyn Cowdrey, Rachel Callison, Gabrielle Nemitz, Kaitlyn Cloud, Mitchell Schmidt, Lauren Trauernicht. Not photographed- Leroy Robert Stavinoha III, Nathan Pulliam
Bronze Merit Award Winners
Audrey Redalen- MN
Cortney Zimmerman- WI
Nathan Videkovich- OH
Conley Schick - IL
Braxton Butler- TX
Chase Harker- IN
Anna Webel- IL
Beau Girdley- KY
Chloe Boitnott- IL
Claire Dorsey- IL
Emily Jennings- FL
Cole Glick- IL
Ethan Vanderwert- MO
Bentley McCullough- MT
Quinten Frederick- IL
Bayleigh Norman- TX
Luke Jeffiers- KY
Wyatt Jeffiers- KY
Kara Freebairn- IL
Taylor Harriman- SD
Whitney Walker- AR
Tyler Drach- IL
Audrey Wilson- MO
Garrett Walther- IN
Harrison Wicker- IN
Names coming soon
Left to Right: Audrey Redalen, Nathan Videkovich, Anna Webel, Emily Jennings, Quinten Frederick, Whitney Walker, Chase Harker, Audrey Wilson, Conley Schick, Cortney Zimmerman, Claire Dorsey, Bentley McCullough, Bayleigh Norman, Cole Glick, Taylor Harriman, Tyler Drach NOT EVERYONE WAS PRESENT of the winnersÂ
2020 Herdsman of the Year- Whitney Olson of Alexandria, MN
The AJSA Herdsman of the Year award is an honor bestowed upon one AJSA member of the National Classic each summer. The award is intended for an individual who gracefully commands the respect of both juniors and adults in the Simmental industry and upholds the honor and dignity of a future cattleman. The person's pride in his or her cattle, both in the show ring and at home, is evident to fellow members and breeders across the Simmental and Simbrah industry.
Herdsman of the Year received tuition to the Graham School for Cattlemen and a belt buckle.
Sponsored by Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes and Rockin P Livestock in honor of Larry Phillips.