POINT PLEASANT — Even with the current state of the country’s economy, area businesses and residents stepped up to the plate to help the county’s youth during the Mason County Fair Junior Livestock Sale on Friday.

Two records were broken in the sale. Morgan Roush’s lamb sold for $38 a pound to People’s Bank in Point Pleasant. In 2005, the record was at $23 a pound.

In addition, Trey Pyles’ grand champion market hog sold for $16 a pound to the Mason Wal-Mart, People’s Bank, Pleasant Valley Hospital and Southern States. This beat the previous record set in 2005 by 50 cents.

This year’s sale featured over 400 buyers. First up in Friday’s sale were the special lambs. Brandon Benson’s grand champion lamb sold for $14.50 a pound to Mark Porter GM Supercenter, Porter and Tate. The reserve champion lamb, which was shown by Shaea Bryant, sold for $5 a pound to AEP River Transportation. Bryant’s lamb was then resold.

For the market lambs, Kelsey Roach’s grand champion sold for $9 a pound to Mark Porter GM Supercenter. Katherine Deem’s reserve champion market lamb sold for $7.25 a pound to R&B Electric. In the market goats, Kate Henderson, who also is the reigning Young Miss 4-H, sold her grand champion goat for $37 a pound to City Ice and Fuel. Cody Marcum’s reserve champion goat sold for $21.50 a pound to AEP River Transportation Division and the Mason Wal-Mart. Both businesses gave the money back to Marcum.

The reserve champion market hog, which was shown by Kaci Riffle, sold for $7.50 a pound to Danny Meadows of Mason Wal-Mart, Kelsey Henry ofBend Area Chiropractic, and Margaret Yoder and Rose Fife, both of AEP River Transportation Division. They all three resold the hog and donated the money to the new goat born.

Levi Doolittle, Grand Champion in the Market Feeder Calf show, sold his calf for $9.50 a pound to AB Contracting. The reserve champion feeder calf, showed by Brock McClung, went to Deal Funeral Home for $4.50 a pound.

Mid-Atlantic Construction bought Rebekah Dunham’s Grand Champion Market Steer for $3.25 a pound. The reserve champion steer, belonging to Travis Bays, sold for $2.75 a pound to Thomas Do-It Center.

Prior to the livestock sale, the Kenneth “Sonny” Fry Memorial Award, which was presented by Dena Fry, was given to Martel Oshel. In addition, the top 4-H exhibitor awards were given to Elizabeth Blankenship, first place; and Hannah Casto, second place. The Harold Ridenour Memorial Award was presented to Shannon Lyons, while the Donnie Hill Memorial Award was given to Nena Hunt. In addition, the Bill McDermitt Memorial Award, which was presented by the McDermitt family, was given to Caitlyn Knight.

Master Market Showmanship was also held Friday morning. Megan Hatfield won first place in the Senior Division. This is Megan’s fifth time at winning this prestigious title. Coming in second place was Amanda Hannon. In the Junior Division, Becca Darst came in first, while Jeremy Tate took home second place.

The born and raised awards were given as well. Madison Crank was awarded $1,000 from Ohio Valley Bank for her market steer; Kaci Riffle was awarded $500 from Eastmans Foodland for her market hog; Kate Henderson was awarded $500 from Bob’s Market and Greenhouse for her market goat; Brock McClung was awarded $500 from Williamson Pallets for his market feeder calf; and Kelsey Roach was awarded $500 from City Ice and Fuel for her market lamb.

Winning the clean stall awards Cody Riffle, Zack Parsons, Ruby Swartz, Madison Crank, Shayla Wears, L.J. Spencer, Trey Pyles, Nick Hatfield, Megan Pursley and Destany Pursley.

Near the end of the evening, the 4-H Fair Scholarship was presented by Peoples Bank. The $1,500, first place award went to Raelynn Grimm. Second place and $1,000 was awarded to Travis Bowman and Tiffany Sleeth won $500 and 3rd place honors. Harrison Roach was named the alternate winner.

(To view additional pictures of livestock sale grand and reserve champions, see page A8.)