On Friday evening of the 2025 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), 15 junior showmen from across the country stood with bated breath to learn who would earn the coveted title of Champion Showman. As the lights shone down and the crowd leaned in, one name would soon be called, capping off a week of unforgettable moments along Route 66.  

In the end, Annie Meier of Clinton, Tenn., was crowned champion.  

“It was literally awesome,” Meier says, moments after winning. “I was standing there, and I was just listening to the numbers being called, and the last one came … and it just put me in so much shock.” 

After being announced the winner, Meier celebrated ringside with hugs and tears from her dad, sister and brother. This win was the culmination of years of work, both in the barn and in the ring. But more than that, it’s a bit of a family tradition.  

“My brother actually won showmanship [at the NJAS] in Grand Island two years ago, and we were all there to support him,” Meier says. 

After watching her brother win, she says being in that same spot just two years later made the final moments of her time as a National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) member all the more special.  

“So many people have been by my side,” Meier says. “My family, my friends, everybody. It just feels so awesome to be a part of this industry.” 

To compete in the National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest, participants must first qualify within their state. Only two juniors are chosen to represent each state and compete at the national level each year. Members can only compete in the contest once during their career as a junior. These high stakes add to the prestige of the contest, making it one of the most competitive in the industry.  

Contestants were evaluated by Kass Newell, Orlando, Okla.; Mark Core, Pleasantville, Iowa; and Brady Jensen, Courtland, Kan. Janlee Rowlett of Oklahoma City, Okla., served as surrogate judge for the contest.   

These industry leaders assumed a formidable task: evaluating the group of highly skilled junior members throughout the multi-round showdown. Judges must assess participants’ abilities in show ring etiquette and sportsmanship, animal handling, equipment utilization and ability to follow instructions.  

Following the initial four heats, 15 showmen are chosen to return and participate in a final round where the top five winners are selected.  

Joining Meier in the top five were: Carter Kornegay, Oklahoma, second place; Brooklyn Davis, Virginia, third place; Addison Bartlow, Illinois, fourth place; and Alli Perry, Tennessee, fifth place.  

The remaining showmen selected in the top 15, in alphabetical order, were:   

• Naleah Bobolz, Wisconsin 
• Kinleigh Bolin, Missouri 
• Emily Caffee, Kentucky 
• Suter Clark, Virginia
• Addie Haverkamp, Kansas
• Haley Grace Walker, Mississippi 
• Kasey Meyer, Nebraska 
• Carly Sanders, Ohio 
• Tatum Schroeder, Nebraska 
• Henry Throne, Georgia 

The following juniors were recognized as honorable mentions: 

• Arden Franks, California
• Adam Miller, Illinois
• Kady Ray Verjaska, Washington 
• Makalya Walker, Alabama

Each year the champion showman at NJAS is presented the Dean Hurlbut Award, named after the man who organized the first National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest in 1967.  Also, juniors placing in the top five are presented a scholarship, the Hamilton “Ham” James Award. Established by friends of its namesake, this award was first presented at the 1983 NJAS with intention to carry James's legacy forward. 

View results of the 2025 NJAS, including shows, contests, awards and scholarships at www.njas.info. Additional coverage is also available on the NJAA social media channels and in the September issue of the Angus Journal.