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Nicole Bakken, Stoughton, was named the fifth annual Master Showman Contest winner on Saturday, July 18, during the Dane County Fair. The contest features the top senior showman from five different species, including dairy, beef, sheep, swine and dairy goat. Each contestant must show each of the five species, and are evaluated on their performance. All participants received a cash prize, sponsored by Merial. 

Bakken earned her place in the competition after being named the senior showman of the beef show. She is the daughter of Mark and Jan Bakken and is a member of the Stoughton FFA. Reserve Champion honors went to Shelby Tone, Stoughton. Tone is the daughter of Steve Tone and Laurie Schellinger and is a member of the Triangle Troopers 4-H Club. Tone was named senior showman of the dairy goat show.

Other participants included Mara Shelley, Deerfield, Oak Park 4-H; Logan Fahey, Belleville, Belleville FFA; and Samantha White, Stoughton, Rutland 4-H and Stoughton FFA.

The contest was first developed in 2011 by Kate Griswold, a long-time Dane County Fair exhibitor. After receiving a J.C. Penney scholarship, Griswold developed the contest to provide an educational competition between youth exhibitors with different livestock species.

Visit danecountyfair.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@danecountyfair) for more information.