Grove graduate Miklaszewski shows top pig at fair
By Jason Arndt
Editor
A Burlington High School graduate maintained Racine County’s legacy in the Wisconsin State Fair show ring last week by presenting a Grand Champion steer during the annual Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction.
Luke Andis, who graduated from BHS in 2023, became the sixth consecutive exhibitor from Racine County to raise a Grand Champion Steer dating back to 2018 when Reid Runkel achieved the honor.
Since then, Riley Runkel, Reid’s sister, garnered the honor twice, while Union Grove’s Tori Crisp added two more.
Crisp also won in 2016, making Racine County winners in seven of the last eight years at the State Fair, according to multiple media sources.
Luke, son of Matt and Lisa, received $35,000 from Kenosha Beef for his 1,377-pound crossbreed steer he calls “Blackie” – because of its lustrous coat – at the Aug. 7 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction.
Luke said the achievement took a tremendous work ethic, including long hours in the barn, where he raised not one, but two steers for nearly a year to present at the Wisconsin State Fair.
“You can’t slack. Everyday you have to do the work,” Luke said in an Aug. 9 interview at his dad’s business, Andis Company, in the Village of Sturtevant, where a guided tour was given for the State Fair’s Camp of Champions winners.
Luke said the competitive nature of the Racine County Fair, where he showcased a Grand Champion Steer in 2023, prepared him for the State Fair.
“Racine County is really competitive and helps push us to be the best at the State Fair,” he said. “Through the years, everybody has been stepping up their game at the Racine County Fair. So, it just kind of evolved from there.”
In addition to showcasing a grand champion, he had the best of breed, presenting a Champion Simmental during the auction.
His Simmental brought in a winning bid of $8,000 by Meijer, according to Mid-West Farm Report.
“Luke is very humble and dedicated to his animals, their health comes first,” Luke’s father, Matt, said.
“I think winning can be overwhelming but satisfying. He has always been a very hard worker and this time it finally showed everyone his passion for livestock showing,” Matt added.
Luke had shown at the Racine County Fair for several years before winning Grand Champion steer at the 2023 event, where his brother had a Champion Chianina breed that finished fifth overall.
Since graduating from BHS, Luke has worked at a cattle ranch in the southern portion of the United States.
Nolan Eulgen, of Waterford, had a grand champion Hereford steer bought by several businesses for $8,500.
Racine County’s success wasn’t limited to steer.
Amanda Miklaszewski, who graduated from Union Grove in 2023, entered the Wisconsin State Fair with back-to-back Grand Champion market hogs at the Racine County Fair in 2022-23.
Now attending Iowa State University studying agriculture business and animal science, Miklaszewski earned a winning bid of $22,500 from Interstate Parking Company and Statewide Fencing for a Grand Champion crossbred pig weighing in at 264 pounds.
“Honestly, the feeling hasn’t hit me yet,” she said at the Andis Company, where she joined other State Fair winners for the tour.
“Having my family behind me definitely made me feel accomplished. I am very grateful for the experience,” she said.
State Fair focus
Andis and Miklaszewski did not exhibit animals at the 2024 Racine County Fair, allowing more time to work on their State Fair projects.
“I think for both of us, the State Fair was our main goal to win,” she said. “We just didn’t have time for the Racine County Fair. I just wanted to focus on the State Fair.”
Miklaszewski, of Franksville, said she felt proud to appear as an exhibitor from the county at the State Fair.
Racine County has always shown to be a strong community willing to work together, she said.
“We just come from a good background. As a community, we all support one another. It feels good to represent our county this year,” Miklaszewski said.
She plans to use proceeds to help pay for her college education and related expenses.
The two exhibitors each have one more year of eligibility to show at the county and state fairs.
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