Published: March 28, 2008 02:09 am      

Marrs awarded Grand Champion in steer show

Luke Marrs, 14, of Corsicana FFA won Grand Champion at the 50th Anniversary Navarro County Youth Expo Thursday evening with his steer, Butterscotch, a stocky yellow-colored animal that weighs 1,185 pounds.

Taking Reserve Champion was Dustin Aguado, 16, of Kerens FFA with his animal, Master P, a black and white steer weighing 1,260 pounds. Aguado also took Reserve in the Senior Showmanship competition for steers.

In Junior Showmanship, Logan Peterson of Blooming Grove/Barry 4-H took Grand, Reserve went to Justin Smith-Lopez of Rice FFA, and third went to Mikala Mitchell of Corsicana FFA. In Senior Championship, Grand Champion went to Drew Whistler of Blooming Grove FFA, and third went to Casey McClure of Corsicana FFA.

Brian Reynolds of Tahoka, Texas, was the judge for steers and heifers, and his experience includes time as a parent, advisor and judge.

“The quality of cows has been outstanding, both in heifers and steers,” Reynolds said of the Navarro County showing. “Outstanding cattle, and even better kids.”

Marrs said he’s been working with his winning steer for about a year. He chose Butterscotch because of the steer’s Charolais heritage and appearance. He admitted he’ll miss the animal when it’s sold Saturday.

“I guess everything has to go eventually,” he said.

Aguado had a winning night, taking first in his weight class, then second overall, and then second in showmanship for his age group.

“My parents helped me out a lot,” he said.

The steers are separated into weight classes, with Class 1 including animals weighing between 986 and 1,079 pounds; in Class 2 were animals weighing between 1,092 and 1,193 pounds; in Class 3 were animals weighing between 1,199 and 1,272 pounds, and Class 4 had animals between 1,278 and 1,441 pounds.

The top four places in each weight class were taken by the following students:

Class 1, out of 13 entrants: Lauren Marrs, Corsicana FFA; Emily Southard, Blooming Grove/Barry 4-H; Peyton Southard, Blooming Grove/Barry 4-H; and Jayd Kirby, Blooming Grove/Barry 4-H.

Class 2, out of 17 entrants: Luke Marrs, Corsicana FFA; Darian Herod, Frost 4-H; Lainie McGraw, Blooming Grove/Barry 4-H; and Kennedi Montfort, Mildred 4-H.

Class 3, out of 16 entrants: Dustin Aguado, Kerens FFA; Drew Whistler, Blooming Grove FFA; Arron Bynum, Mildred 4-H; and Casey McClure, Corsicana FFA.

Class 4, out of 14 entrants: Leeza Mitchell, Corsicana FFA; Sarah Bourke, Corsicana FFA; Ryon Springer, Dawson 4-H; and Payne Sharpley, Corsicana FFA.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com