The Illinois 4-H Livestock Skillathon Team has been busy as they recently topped 20 teams from across the USA to bring home the National 4-H Skillathon Championship.  The contest was held in Louisville, Kentucky.  This year’s contest marked the first win for the Illinois Team.  

Illinois was also awarded high team in Evaluation, high team in Quality Assurance, and fourth overall in Evaluation.  This year’s Illinois State 4-H Livestock Skillathon team consists of four 4-H members throughout the state of Illinois including Drew Mickey and Emma Pistorius of Christian County. 

Team members were chosen to compete at the national level based on performances at statewide competitions held during the Illinois State Fair.  Individual team members were also each named All Americans due to their competition performance. 

Four out of the top five high overall individual placings were taken by Illinois 4-H team members. Drew Mickey placed fourth overall individual and third in identification.  Emma Pistorius placed fifth high overall, fourth in identification, and fourth in quality assurance.  

The Illinois 4-H Foundation provided support for the program.  Head Coach Eric Fugate of Champaign County says it was a fantastic and memorable day and that it is exciting to see the team work to continue their ongoing skillathon legacy raising the bar to the highest levels possible for future teams to strive to match.