4-H members from the Southwind Extension District in Allen and Bourbon Counties had the opportunity to participate in the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes at Kansas State University. Their skills and knowledge were challenged by participating in Livestock & Meats Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Skillathon contests. Those attending were (from left to right) Klara Stock, Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, Hunter Hurt, Kendyl Bloesser, Jewel Endicott, Alexa Ellis, Cash Pitts, Korbyn Allison, Makinlee Bloesser and Carla Nemecek (volunteer/coach).
The Southwind Extension District 4-H members studied throughout the summer to participate at the 2026 Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes, held August 22-23 at K-State’s new Bilbrey Family Event Center in Manhattan, KS. Demonstrating consistent excellence, Southwind teams placed in the top ten of every contest, with a dominating win in the State 4-H Meats Judging Contest, and a Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team to ultimately claim the title of 2026 State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes Champions.
The participants representing the Southwind Extension District were Hailey Shadden, Makinlee Bloesser, Marley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, Alexa Ellis, Jewel Endicott, Klara Stock, Korbyn Allison, Cash Pitts and Hunter Hurt.
The Sweepstakes event consisted of four contests: Livestock Judging, Meats Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Skillathon, with scores combined and averaged to determine the overall Sweepstakes winners.
Top Individual Sweepstakes Results:
Hailey Shadden, Reserve Individual Overall (for the second consecutive year); Jewel Endicott, 5th (for the second consecutive year); Marley Sutton, 10th; Klara Stock, 11th; and Kendyl Bloesser 12th.
The Southwind teams excelled in the Livestock Quiz Bowl qualifying exam, which began with 21 teams. Southwind #1 (Shadden, Ellis, K. Bloesser, M. Bloesser) was the high-scoring team in the exam, but lost in the first round. Because of their bye and a high test score, they were 5th Team Overall. Southwind #2 (Endicott, Stock, Pitts, Hurt) was the second-highest-testing team and earned a bye in the first round. However, they stepped up to the challenge, and won 2 matches before a tough loss in the finals, and were named Reserve Champion Livestock Quiz Bowl Team.
In the Livestock Judging contest, Southwind #1 (Shadden, K. Bloesser, Ellis, Stock) had an outstanding day, earning 4th in Cattle, 13th in Sheep, Champion Team in Hogs, Champion Team in Reasons, and being named 5th High Team Overall. There were 42 teams from across the state and 220 individuals in the contest. Individual highlights include: Hailey Shadden – 5th High Individual Overall, High Individual Cattle; 6th Reasons, and 9th Hogs; Alexa Ellis was 8th in Cattle. Both Hailey and Alexa qualified to try out for the Kansas 4-H Livestock Judging All-Star Team later this fall.
The Meats Judging contest involved identifying 30 retail cuts, six placings classes, and three sets of reasons. Southwind #1 (Endicott, Sutton, Shadden, Stock) was named the Champion Meats Judging Team, with a standout performance by winning Retail Identification, and also earning 2nd in both Placings and Reasons. 75 Senior Individuals and 13 teams competed in the contest. Southwind #2 (K. Bloesser, M. Bloesser, Ellis, Pitts) was 8th in Placings, 9th in Reasons, 7th in Retail ID, and 7th Team Overall. Those in the Top 10 were offered the opportunity to try out for the All-Star team later this year. Individual accomplishments for the Southwind squad include:
- Jewel Endicott – High Individual Overall, High Individual Placings, 4th Reasons, 3rd Retail ID
- Hailey Shadden – 3rd Individual Overall, 8th Placings, 8th Reasons, 8th Retail ID
- Kendyl Bloesser – 4th Individual Overall, 7th Placings, 5th Retail ID
- Klara Stock – 7th Individual Overall, 6th Retail ID
- Marley Sutton – 9th Individual Overall, 7th Retail ID
- Makinlee Bloesser – 10th Placings
In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols, and determining proper cattle breeding decisions. Out of 33 teams and 180 individuals, Southwind #1 (Shadden, Ellis, Endicott, M. Bloesser) worked together to be named the 7th Team Overall. Individual Skillathon results include: Jewel Endicott – 4th Individual Overall, 5th Exam, 4th Practicum; Hailey Shadden – 5th Individual Overall, 8th Exam, 5th Practicum.
This particular Sweepstakes championship is proof that Southwind 4-H members push through tough contests with grit, talent, and a team spirit. True to their motto of “Making the Best Better,” these members pushed each other to new heights. The District credits its success to the support of parents, dedicated coaches, loyal alumni, Extension Agents, and the entire Southwind 4-H community.
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