By Scout Nelson
Nearly 500 students from across Nebraska tested their knowledge of rangeland management during the 2026 Nebraska State Range Judging Contest held on September 23, 2026, northwest of North Platte. The contest brought together 484 students representing 48 schools, along with 38 adult competitors.
Range judging has a long tradition in Nebraska. The program gives young people and adults a chance to learn about native rangeland resources and the practices used to manage them. Six local contests are held across Nebraska before the annual state competition.
During the competition, participants applied their knowledge of range plants and management to real field conditions. The experience helped students build practical skills that can support future work in ranching, agriculture, and natural resource management.
The contest also helped students understand the importance of caring for Nebraska’s rangelands. These lands provide valuable resources for livestock, wildlife, and communities. Learning how to manage them responsibly helps support healthy natural resources for future generations.
Awards recognized the top performers in both junior and senior divisions. First-place junior and senior teams and high-point individuals received purple rosette ribbons. Ribbons were also awarded to the next three teams and individual placings. The top 25% of competitors received participation ribbons.
Local Natural Resources Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Nebraska Extension in Lincoln County coordinated and hosted the contest with help from volunteers from across Nebraska.
The following students and teams earn top honors in the 2026 contest.
Junior Team, grades 7-10 Results
Imperial earned first place with Clayson Thayer, Tatum May, Damien Barger and Truman Olsen.
Burwell placed second with Jackson Joy, Jordee Johnston, Hudson Redman, and Brye Burnham.
Ansley finished third with Robert Brott, Bayler Clay, Aspen Taylor and Lily Hickenbottom.
Sargent placed fourth with Blake Bottorf, Nathan Lowry, Quade Smith, and Jace Mauler.
Senior Team, grades 11-12 Results
West Holt earned first place with Hunter Wettlaufer, Case Shane, Ian Shane, and Elizabeth Olson.
St. Paul placed second with Noah Gawrych, Cash Wemhoff, Joel Kaslon and Braden Hirschman.
Ansley finished third with Wyatt Hoblyn Shoemaker, Madie Loy, Kali Nelson and Owen Hawkins.
Imperial placed fourth with Aidan Vlasin, Bennett Kuenning, Sawyer Sauder, and Luke Kuenning.
Junior Individual, grades 7-10 Results
Robert Brott of Ansley placed first
Jackson Joy of Burwell placed second
Clayson Thayer of Imperial placed third
Blake Bottorf of Sargent placed fourth
Senior Individual, grades 11-12 Results
Emily Bashtovi of Sidney placed first
Kayden Kvistad of Chadron placed second
Hunter Wettlaufer of West Holt placed third
Aiden Vlasin of Imperial placed fourth
Junior participants — Top 25%
Ansley: Bayler Clay, Aspen Taylor, Lily Hickenbottom, Jaxon Schulte and Tyliee Hendricks
Arcadia: Kade Hulinsky
Boyd County: Juliana Cline and Miri Johnson
Burwell: Jordee Johnston, Hudson Redman, Brye Burnham, Traigh Freeman, Boz Conrad and Jasper Borgelt
Chadron: Roudy Schommer
Chambers: Weston Brown and Trevor Timmerman
Elgin: Kinley Miller and Garrett Busteed
Hay Springs: Connor Forney
Imperial: Tatum May, Damien Barger, Truman Olsen, Hayden Worth, Anna McNair and Thomas Maddux
Loup County: Lane Moody
Medicine Valley: Isaac Snyder
Nebraska Ag Academy: Reagan Schaaf, Nathan Brhel, Ivy Chipperfield and Madeline Smith
O’Neill: Lynn Miner
Ord: Nathan Wadas and Kaitlyn Reineke
Riverside: Belle Weltruski and Kathryn North
Sargent: Nathan Lowry, Quade Smith and Jace Mauler
St. Paul: Landen Herbig, Mostyn Meyer, Braxton Headrick and Ryker Rasmussen
Valentine: Ali Weller, Bayley Burdick, Ezra Dorsey and Tylee Tinant
Wallace: Hazel Deaver, Heidi Deaver and Tonya Deaver
West Holt: Landri Nemetz, Atziri Sanchez, Mahlon Stine, Ryder Wettlaufer, Reese Hoffman, Lainey Skrdla, Isabella Schaaf, Payton Skrdla and Ryan Havranek
Wheeler Central: Corbin Kasselder, Elexis Plugge, Owen Sallach and Denna Skortcz
Senior participants — Top 25%
Ansley: Wyatt Hoblyn Shoemaker, Madie Loy, Kali Nelson and Owen Hawkins
Arapahoe: Briggs Hill
Arcadia: Kale Dorsey
Burwell: Eli Cox
Cambridge: Regine Pena and Kylie Koeppen
Chadron: Sam Kahl
Deshler: Makenna Freitag and Danica O’
Photo Credit: University of Nebraska-Lincoin
Categories: Nebraska, Education