Illinois’ Paulson Tops the World Dairy Expo Youth Fitting Contest

Youth across North America participated in the 2026 World Dairy Expo^® Youth Fitting Contest on Saturday, September 26 at the Alliant Energy Center. There were 63 participants registered, representing nine U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Contestants, ages 13-21, were given one hour to prepare their animal to be showring ready. Sean Lynch, Walworth, Wis., and Madison Fisher, Tully, N.Y., judged the intermediate and senior divisions, respectively. Jessica Pralle and Nicole Pralle-Nepermann serve as superintendents of this prestigious contest.

After topping the Senior Male Division, Suton Paulson, Rockford, Ill., was named the Overall Fitter. In addition to receiving a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Images Custom Embroidery, Rudolph, Wis., Paulson also received an Overall Fitter Award in memory of Michael Heath, which included a $1,000 cash award and an engraved walnut plaque from the friends and family of Michael Heath.

Paulson and Morgan Smoker, Belleville, Penn., received clippers sponsored by Clipper Parts & Repair of Clayton, Wis., for topping the Senior Male and Senior Female Divisions, respectively. Karile Supplee, Chambersburg, Penn., and Benny Uhe, Footville, Wis., were selected as the top contestants from the Intermediate Female and Intermediate Male Divisions, respectively. They received cash prizes for winning their divisions.

The top five finishers from each division were awarded cash awards and neck ribbons with medallions. Those presented to the female participants were presented in memory of Katie Coyne. First through fifth place finishers were also presented a special award, courtesy of GenoSource, Epworth, Iowa.

Placings for the WDE Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:

Intermediate Female Division:

1. Karile Supplee, Chambersburg, Penn.
2. Emily Nooyen, Bonduel, Wis.
3. Abigail Yoder, Port Byron, Ill.
4. Hailey Kinney, Durand, Ill.
5. Sevanna Fairbank, Beaver Dam, Wis.

Intermediate Male Division:

1. Benny Uhe, Footville, Wis.
2. Owen Kimball, Geneseo, N.Y.
3. William Zimmerman, Brodhead, Wis.
4. Colt Buckley, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
5. Zachary Danhof, Waukon, Iowa

Senior Female Division:

1. Morgan Smoker, Bellville, Penn.
2. Kayla Visser, Hutchinson, Minn.
3. Olivia VanEvera, Cobleskill, N.Y.
4. Kamrie Mauer, Brownton, Minn.
5. Laylaa Schuler, Platteville, Wis.

Senior Male Division:

1. Suton Paulson, Rockford, Ill.
2. Payton Calvert, Cuba City, Wis.
3. Matthew Winch, Fennimore, Wis.
4. William Sadler, West Union, Iowa
5. Zach Dasilva, North Lewisburg, Ohio

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event is taking place in Madison, Wis. September 29 – October 2, 2026. Dairy producers can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.