The Champaign County 4-H Livestock Judging Team has achieved a historic victory, clinching first place at the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City, Missouri, and earning the honor of representing the United States at the International Livestock Judging Contest in Scotland in the summer of 2026.

Team members Hunter Shike, Morgan Huls, Lane Beyers, and Callie Turner outperformed top youth livestock judging teams from across the country. Their exceptional performance not only secured the overall championship but also led them to first place in both oral reasons and swine categories, second in sheep/goats, and sixth in cattle.

Coach Dan Shike said, “Each one of our team members had to get to the next level to make this happen. They showed up practice after practice, stayed consistent, and pushed themselves to improve. That commitment made all the difference.”

The contest recognized individual excellence, with Hunter Shike earning third overall individual, first in oral reasons, second in cattle, third in swine, and nineteenth in sheep/goats. Morgan Huls placed seventh overall, eighth in oral reasons, fourth in swine, and third in sheep/goats. Lane Beyers achieved nineteenth overall and ninth in oral reasons, while Callie Turner finished thirty-fourth overall and eighth in swine.

“This team is passionate about the livestock industry, and that passion drives them to be the best they can be,” said coach Jennifer Shike. “They don’t just want to win a contest, they want to make the industry better. We’ve watched them grow up in this program, and seeing their dedication and sacrifice pay off is really special.”

 High school seniors Beyers and Shike are currently considering colleges, with plans to pursue engineering and animal science, respectively. Juniors Huls and Turner are aiming for careers in agricultural policy, political science, agricultural marketing, and sales.