Under the bright lights of the Celeste Center at the Ohio State Fair on Sunday, young people auctioned off their prize livestock (and one sizable block of cheese) at the 50th annual Sale of Champions.

Since former Ohio Gov. Jim Rhodes established the auction in 1968, more than $3 million has been awarded to more than 33,000 youths, largely in the form of scholarships.

During the two-hour event, Ohio businesses bid on champion steers, hogs, lambs, chickens, a goat, a turkey and a hunk of cheese. Bids on the items reached well into the tens of thousands of dollars.

This year, Addison Jones, 14, of Allen county sold her 1,325 pound grand champion steer to Dayton-based Steve R. Rauch Demolition and Excavation Inc. for $50,000.

Allen County proved to be a winning source of cattle for the junior fair exhibitors this year. Youngsters from the northwestern Ohio county claimed three of the top five positions in the market beef exhibition.

One of those three was Montana Hulsmeyer, 13, the reserve grand champion market beef winner, and Addison’s best friend.

Both girls were decked out in turquoise shirts and blue jeans during the showing. Despite the pressure of the packed stadium bleachers (and some occasionally headstrong behavior from their beasts) both Addison and Montana kept their cool as they paraded the steers atop the artificial green turf of the corral.

They said that raising their animals together might have contributed to their success.

“Much better than doing it alone,” Montana said.

“Me and her, we share a barn together,” Addison said.

Both girls plan to work toward similar goals in the future, beyond raising livestock.

“I’d like to go to North Carolina and study business,” Montana said.

“Yeah, I want to get a business degree too,” Addison said.

Most of the buyers who attend the Sale of Champions are involved in food or agriculture, whether they are corporate operations such Kroger or smaller businesses such as Huffman’s Market in Upper Arlington.

After the livestock are purchased, they’re generally butchered and sold to consumers.

Steve R. Rauch Demolition and Excavation doesn’t have much experience in that trade, however. They were there to support the kids.

The important point for his business is to support the youth who take the time to raise the animals, founder Steve R. Rauch said.

“It’s really important to us,” Rauch said. "The foundation of our company is the next generation.”

The company plans to donate the steer to a food pantry.

Kroger and Huffman’s Market were two of the bigger buyers at the sale, buying six lots between them.

Spending $78,000 and joining with other buyers on some animals, Kroger bought the grand champion lamb, the reserve grand champion steer and both the reserve and grand champion chickens.

“We’ve got a bigger wallet this year,” said Amy McCormick, Kroger’s corporate affairs manager in Columbus.

Huffman’s market took home the reserve grand champion hog and lamb.

“They’ll be in a case within a week or so, all for sale,” owner Tim Huffman said. “Just got to smoke the hog first.”

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jevans@dispatch.com