As the second-place team was announced in Australia during the World Angus Forum, the four juniors representing the American Angus Association in World Angus Youth Competition deflated. Knowing the talent pool was deep, Garrett Handsaker remembers looking towards his teammate, Tucker Stagemeyer, and admitting defeat. They both thought their moment had passed. 

The Illinois junior says he was pleasantly surprised, however, when the U.S. team came out on top. The contest had been built around a series of modules testing different skills, and while Handsaker and his peers had only placed first in one, they were in the top four of a majority. 

That consistency was able to put us over the top.” — Tucker Stagemeyer

Reveling in the moment, Stagemeyer says he was proud to bring the title home, beating out 11 other international teams. While the title itself was exciting, this was also the first year the American Angus Association sent a team to compete in the event.

“It was a feeling of pure excitement and satisfaction of the work we’d put in,” the Nebraska cattleman recalls. “It hadn’t fully hit us to say that we’d basically won the cattle version of the Olympics.” 

The boys were joined by Jonwyn Ayres of Oregon and Claire Stevenson of Montana. The four juniors all applied through the Association for a chance to represent their country. It was a extensive application, covering everything from experience in the breed to a personality assessment. Stagemeyer says the intense selection process proved well worth it, as their team was well-rounded. 

“I thought it was just an incredible team to be a part of,” he says. “I think the most valuable aspect is we knew each other’s faults and also our strengths.” 

Despite not having met any of his peers prior to the international trip, Handsaker says he’s now formed lifelong friendships with each of them. The bonds developed quickly, during both study sessions prior to the event and the long days of competition. 

“We had two days of basically nonstop competition,” Hansaker explains. “It was everything from precision ag, calculating seeding rates, ag business, creating vaccination protocols and health management things, obstacles courses like reversing the truck and trailer.” 

Through all those modules, Stagemeyer says they were also asked to care for two show heifers. The modules were 20 minutes each, but it was up to the competitors to manage their own time and prioritize the care of their cattle for the week. 

We just knew that we had to keep battling through it and working together as a team and just doing the best we could and hope it all shook out in the end.” — Garrett Handsaker 

When the dust settled, Stagemeyer says he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. 

“To be a part of the most elite breed and most elite country and be selected from that pool was pretty incredible,” he explains. 

American pride hit a global scale with the win, too. 

“I thought that was really refreshing as a young Angus producer to really see all these people rally behind us, whether it was at home of there,” Handssaker adds.