Athens ISD press release
The Athens FFA has kicked off the fall stock show season with some outstanding early success at both the East Texas State Fair in Tyler and the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City.
FFA member Casey Pitchford and his sister, Junior FFA member Gracey Pitchford, took breeding beef heifers to the Oklahoma State Fair. Casey won first place and division champion with his Angus heifer and reserve grand champion with his senior yearling Santa Gertrudis. Gracey won both her class and division champion with her shorthorn heifer. She took grand champion honors with her cow-calf Santa Gertrudis.
At the Junior Beef Heifer Show in Tyler, Sara Rimpel took first place with her Maine-Anjou heifer. Her sister, Shae Rimpel, placed second with her Limousine heifer. Their brother, FFA President Seth Rimpel, placed third with his Limousine heifer.
At the Steer Show in Tyler, Mason Mikkelsen’s Chi steer received first place in its class. His Charolais steer placed fourth, and his Maine-Anjou steer also placed fourth. Mason had injured his ankle playing football and was unable to show. So, in true FFA fashion, the Rimpels stepped in and exhibited his stock in his place. In addition, Hayden Boyd placed second with his Maine-Anjou steer and fifth with his Charolais steer.