Illinois State Fair Junior Barrow Show Selects Champions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As Codee Schlipf's Crossbred barrow took first place at the 2009 Illinois State Fair Junior Barrow Show, the entire swine barn erupted in cheers.

Codee is the 13-year-old daughter of Ryan and Sherri Schlipf of El Paso, Ill.  She loves playing sports, specifically volleyball, softball and basketball, and hunting is one of her favorite activities.  Codee will attend El Paso-Gridley Jr. High School this fall.  She not only is great in the show ring, but also is extremely generous as she plans to split her winnings with her family.

Taking second to Codee as the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow was a Crossbred shown by Caleb Schroeder of Milford, Ill.  He is the 19-year-old son of Stan and Chris Schroeder and is going to Parkland Community College for their diesel mechanics program.  Showing since the age of eight, he has had plenty of experience in the swine barn.  He loves to hunt deer with his bow and was very involved in FFA, football and Student Council in high school.

"It's a crazy feeling," Caleb said.  His brother, Justin, helped him get started, and it has been a family and friend project since then.

Though all 2009 breed grand champions were bred in the Land of Lincoln, crossbreds are exempt from receiving that honor.  Bryce Walters' Yorkshire barrow was chosen as the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion.  He is the 15-year-old son of Randy and Jan Walters of Tampico, Ill. in Bureau County.

Tyler Loeschen's Yorkshire barrow took Reserve honors in the Land of Lincoln contest.  Tyler is the 18-year-old son of Gary and Diana Loeschen of Kempton, Ill. in Kankakee County.