By Karen Binder
Illinois Correspondent

MULBERRY GROVE, Ill. — No matter the outcome at the June 19 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Oklahoma City, finalist Andrew McDowell already is a winner.

A professional auctioneer since high school, this Mulberry Grove man already has qualified for eight world livestock auctioneer contests, won the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, was runner up at the 2006 contest and was fourth in 2008. “I’m just thrilled to qualify for the world championship. I know I’ll have some tough competition, but I’ll do my best,’’ McDowell said.

He and his father, Alva, operate McDowell Auction Service in Bond County, about an hour east of St. Louis, where they conduct auctions for farm machinery consignment, real estate, farm, commercial, industrial, antique and household concerns.
McDowell graduated from Missouri Auction School in August 1999 while still in high school, and he is the youngest to win the title of Illinois champion bid caller at the State Fair.

He will be vying against 32 other auctioneers competing at the championship, taking place this year at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. They all qualified for the contest through four qualifying contests from September to December 2009.  The eight top-scoring contestants in each quarterfinal moved on to the championship.
The contest will be an actual sale, with buyers on the seats and 7,500 to 10,000 head of cattle through the ring. Judging criteria are presentation, clarity of expression/articulation, knowledge of the industry, ability to be an industry spokesman and would the judge hire this auctioneer. The top 10 scorers return for a final round of selling. The three titlists – world, reserve and runner-up champion – are announced at an awards banquet.

At stake is thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including, for the world champion, a year’s free use of a new truck.

Other contestants include Bailey Ballou, Elgin, Okla.; Ted Baum, O’Neill, Neb.; Jeff Bynum, Southside, Ala.; Darren T. Carter, Ninety Six, S.C.; Tye Casey, Plymouth, Ind.; Lance Cochran, Medford, Okla.; Chuck Cozzitorto, Hilmar, Calif.; Charly Cummings, Yates Center, Kan.; Kyle Elwood, Abilene, Kan.; Will Epperly, Moneta, Va.; Dustin Focht, Stillwater, Okla.; Tom Frey, Creston, Iowa; Jim Hertzog, Butler, Mo.; Brian Little, Wann, Okla.; Brian Marlin, Inola, Okla.; Joel Martin, Williamston, S.C.; Andrew McDowell, Vandalia, Ill.; Brandon Neely, Southside, Ala.; Mike Nuss, Minatare, Neb.; Ted Odle, Brush, Colo.; Paul Ramirez; Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.; Duane Rus, Rock Valley, Iowa; Jason Santomaso, Sterling, Colo.; Kevin Schow, Paxton, Neb.; Kyle Shobe, Lewistown, Mont.; Rick Shoemaker, Kearney, Neb.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Russele Sleep, Bedford, Iowa; Preston Smith, Nunn, Colo.; Gabe Spikes, Bowie, Texas; Billy Younkin, Cecil, Ala; and Mitch Barthel, New York Mills, Minn.