MOUNT VERNON — Calling them the finest young livestock exhibitors in the state, auctioneer Red Shaw’s voice rang out in the crowded multipurpose building Thursday during the 2008 Knox County Junior Fair Sale of Champions.

Justin Frost’s Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer was among the many animals sold at the sale. The Kroger Co. bought his 1,514-pound steer for $1.80 a pound.

“He doesn’t give up easily,” Frost said, referring to Shaw, who patiently worked the bids higher, one nickel at a time.

“He did a good job getting the steer sold,” said Frost, who is headed off to Hocking College this fall.

Ohio Rental bought the Reserve Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer from Courtney Jones for $1.70 per pound. The Fredericktown High School senior left the sale with mixed feelings.

“I’m excited to be finished, but I’m sad that it’s over,” she said.

Dusty’s Ag Service of Mount Vernon bought Emily’s Wells’ Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder for $5 per pound.

Wells said she feels good about the way the sale went, and is pleased with the price.

Kyle Carpenter’s Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder was bought by The Bill Piar Farm.

Carpenter said, now that the sale is over, he will have some extra free time, but there are still animals to take care of at his house.

“[The sale] couldn’t have gone better,” he said. “I’m happy with the price.”

A dairy product-filled basket is auctioned off each year to raise money for dairy exhibitors, whose cows are not sold. Fifteen percent of the money from the sale will be given to Supreme Dairy Cow Exhibitor Robin Alden; the remainder will be divided equally among the dairy exhibitors.

This year, the basket brought in $4,000. A coalition of buyers won the auction, with Zelkowitz, Barry and Cullers, the top contributor, getting the cheese basket.