MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)— The 2026 showmanship sweepstakes took place Friday evening, where the top showmen competed against each other. The competition featured Elliot Shore, Easton McClure, Carter Sexton, Kinslee Miller, Phoebe Smith, Reagan Fitsko, Ryan Hunter, Anna Ruth, and Sutton Weston. 

This year’s winner was Reagan Fitsko, a freshman at The Ohio State University. 

Fitsko is a member of the Whetstone Wranglers 4-H club, where she shows dairy feeders.

“I’m super excited and grateful,” said Fitsko about taking the top spot this year.

Fitsko’s favorite animal to show at the fair is any type of cattle, and her least favorite is the chickens because she found them to be scary. 

Fitsko’s advice for others was to make sure to take every opportunity as a learning opportunity and to always help others when needed.

“You never know when it could pay off and when you could be in sweepstakes, and maybe helping someone with their goat or helping someone with their pig could help you out here,” said Fitsko.

Fitsko thanked all of her family, especially her aunt, uncle, and cousin, who allowed her to show cattle all of these years, as well as for their help inside and outside of the ring.

Coming in second for the evening was 17-year-old Sutton Weston, an incoming junior at River Valley.

She is a member of River Valley FFA as well as Prime Cuts 4-H Club. At the fair, Weston shows market sheep.

Weston’s favorite animal to show is swine, and she doesn’t really enjoy showing the chickens because of all the questions that are asked.

Weston’s advice for others is to be confident.

“Honestly, just be confident, especially in showmanship,” says Weston.

Weston also said thanks to all of her family and friends.

The other contestants and the animals they show are as follows

Swine- Elliot Shore

Beef Feeder- Easton McClure

Steer- Carter Sexton

Market Goat- Kinslee Miller

Dairy Goat- Phoebe Smith

Dairy Feeder- Reagan Fitsko 

Poultry- Ryan Hunter

Rabbit- Anna Ruth

Sheep- Sutton Weston

Photos: Kaitlyn Geiger

A young boy guides a black and white dairy cow with a halter in a livestock show ring, while a man and a woman stand nearby with other cattle; spectators sit behind the railing in the background.
A woman in jeans leads a black cow around a dirt show ring as spectators sit behind a metal fence in bleachers.
Young man in a turquoise shirt leads a black show cow in an indoor livestock arena, wearing number 561.
Two black cattle on show leads, facing each other in a dusty indoor arena with spectators in the stands.
Two children show black and tan calves in a livestock arena while a crowd watches from bleachers behind a metal fence.
Handlers present black and tan cattle in a ring at a livestock show, with spectators behind a railing and a banner in the background.
A black-and-white dairy cow stands in an indoor arena with a young handler nearby and spectators in the background at a livestock show.
Young boy in a plaid shirt leads a small black pony with purple reins in a dirt arena, spectators seated on bleachers behind him.
Young exhibitor in a plaid shirt leads a black steer at a livestock show, bib number 582 visible.
Young boy in a plaid shirt leads a black calf with a purple halter at a livestock show.
Person in a floral shirt and jeans leads a black pony in a livestock show ring; bib number 573, with spectators in the background.
Man in a plaid shirt and jeans leads a beige llama in an indoor livestock show arena, wearing a bib marked 574.
Person guiding a black-and-white cow with a blue-handled wand inside a livestock arena. The handler wears jeans and a dark jacket.
Boy in a plaid shirt and jeans guides a black-and-white calf with a green show stick inside a crowded livestock arena.
Man in a plaid shirt guiding a light-colored sheep inside an indoor livestock show arena, with spectators watching from the stands.
Young woman in jeans leads a black calf in a show ring while spectators watch from bleachers behind a metal fence.
Indoor cattle show: handlers guide calves on leashes as judges and spectators watch from bleachers along the ring.
Indoor livestock show ring with several young handlers guiding cattle as spectators watch from the stands along the fence.
Golden dog on a leash walks beside a man in a plaid shirt inside a fenced show ring, with spectators watching from the bleachers.