Maryland Skillathon Team Places 7th

Congratulations to the Maryland 4-H Livestock Skillathon Team which placed 7th in the National 4-H Livestock Skillathon Contest held at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.

Team members included Brittany Bowman (Howard County), Logan Charles (Charles County), Molly Hancock (Charles County), and Rachel Manning (Calvert County). The team was coached by Sheryl Bennett, Howard County 4-H Extension Educator.

The national skillathon includes a fleece judging class and questions about wool. Rachel Manning placed 13th in the National Contest. Molly Hancock was 15th. Both young ladies scored "50" in the fleece judging class.

Team members also competed in the 2008 Sheep & Wool Skillathon at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Rachel Manning placed first and Brittany Bowman placed 8th overall.

The 2009 Sheep & Wool Skillathon will be held Sunday, May 3 at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship. Youth (8-18) from any county, state, or province may compete (according to their 4-H age). For information or to sign up, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.