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Preliminary results of the 2009 Ohio State Fair (non-livestock):

Arielle Gebhart -CARTEENS, project is CARTEENS, Clock Trophy Winner (first place in state).

Mariah Stollar - Churchtown Community Crew, public speaking, Outstanding of the Day and Special Beef Award.

Amanda Gerken - Precious Pups and Mighty Mutts, Dog Show - Rally Novice B, Gold Medallion.

Jen Atkins - Oak Grove 4-Fold, Rope-Senior Division, Outstanding of the Day.

Tyler Gutberlet - Soaring Eagles, Rockets Away - Junior Division, Outstanding of the Day.

Elizabeth Brightbill - Salem Liberty homemakers & Lower Salem Boys, Fishing - Intermediate Division, Outstanding of the Day.

Mary Katherine Becker - Warren Wranglers, Measuring Up -Senior Division Woodworking, Outstanding of the Day.

Source: Ohio State University Extension, Washington County.

When Austin Henthorn, 15, took his champion heifer, Lazy H Lady, to the Ohio State Fair last week, he expected great things in the livestock competition -and got them.

Henthorn won grand champion and reserve champion (Simmental breed) with "Lady" at the Junior Livestock Fair.

Between Austin and his brother, Zach, heifers from the Lazy H Farm have won awards at the fair six years in a row.

But the stellar tradition doesn't seem to impress 1,200-pound Lady, a jet-black heifer.

"She's stubborn and not too fond of the show. Sometimes I need someone behind her to push her," said Henthorn, a member of the Fleming Energizers 4-H Club. "As long as she can sit in front of a fan in the barn, she's OK, but when she has to get up and do anything, she doesn't like it much."

While Henthorn was showing his heifer, Caitlin Decker, 14, of Vincent, was showing her own, a different breed - Hereford heifer - at the state fair.

Decker and Circle D Payback ("Payback" for short) won reserve champion in the Junior Fair Show in Columbus and grand champion in the bred and owned category.

A member of Palmer Lads and Lassies 4-H Club, Decker and another heifer won last year as well. A heifer qualifies if it is under 2 years old and has never had a calf.

This year, 55 Washington County youngsters competed with livestock and non-livestock projects at the state fair. Early results show one "Clock Trophy" winner (first place) and five Outstanding of the Day winners overall in non-livestock. More results are expected in coming days, according to Amanda Brooks, program assistant with the Ohio State University Extension, Washington County.

Henthorn and Decker qualified to return to Columbus Saturday for the Supreme Champion show and although neither placed, the experience was "awesome," Henthorn said.

"I like meeting new people, and I've met people from all over the country," he said.

Pat Decker, Caitlin's father, said it is highly unusual and "pretty impressive" for two Washington County beef breeding farms to place top in the state - especially back-to-back, two years in a row.

"It's more than just the win, but also the value it brings to the heifer's future calves," he said.

Decker, owner of Decker Drilling of Vincent, said heifers have been part of his life since his grandfather gave him his first one when he was 8 years old.

Today, his daughter, Caitlin, and son, Colton, 9, raise heifers. Caitlin is also a heifer breeder.

"She really leads well and is very sweet," Caitlin Decker said of Payback. "I like going to the fair in Columbus, and meeting all the new people. We had a cornhole tournament that was pretty cool."