BEHIND THE BLOCK THE 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The crack of the gavel, the rapid rhythm of the chant, the excitement of the crowd..." BY CELESTE SETTRINI
T
he 56th Annual World Livestock Auctioneers Championship was held at the Tulare County Salesyard in Tulare, CA this past June. Thirty one semi-finalists from across the United States and Canada gathered for the event held in conjunction with the Livestock Marketing Association annual convention. The entire event brimmed with excitement as the contestants, family and friends joined together to go through the process of selecting the new World Champion to succeed last years winner, Jarred Miller. Russelle Sleep of Bedford, Iowa was named the 2019 World Champion. Russelle accepted his silver and gold champion
PG. 22 :: FALL 2019
2019 World Champion Livestock Auctioneer Contestants at the opening of the contest.
buckle along with numerous other prizes at the awards banquet at the conclusion of the convention. A very surprised Sleep was sure to thank his wife, family and all of those who have supported him along the way to get to the championship. Chuck Bradley from Rockford, Ala was the Reserve Champion and Will Epperly from Dunlap, Iowa was honored Runner - Up Champion. Rookie of the Year award went to Ryan Konynenbelt, Ft McLeod, Alberta. Top ten finalists were Eric Drees, Nampa,, Idaho; Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta; Steve Goedert, Dillion, Montana; Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, Saskatoon ; Ryan Konynenbelt, Ft McLeod, Alberta; Wade Leist, Boyne City,Michigan ; and Jacob Massey, Peterbsurg, Tennessee. Additional contestants included Neil Bouray, Webber, Kansas ; Colton Brantley, Modesto, California; Darren Carter, Ninety Six, South Carolina; Dakota Davis, Caldwell, Kansas; Brandon Frey, Creston, Iowa; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, South Carolina; Shane Hatch, Kirkland, New Mexico; Jim Hertzog, Butler, Missouri; Garrett Jones, Los Banos, California; Lynn Langvardt, Chapman, Kansas; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, California; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Oklahoma; Daniel Mitchell,
