On Monday Keoco Auction Company in Sigourney played host to the Midwest Qualifier for the 2016 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. The 28 contestants came from far and wide to compete, some traveling from as far as California and Alberta, Canada. Owner of Keoco, Becky Abell says, there was a large turnout with more than 300 people on hand to watch the qualifying event to see who would advance to the championship round in Kentucky.

In the end, Jay Romine of Mt. Washington, Kentucky was crowned champion of the qualifier. He now advances, along with nine runners up from the event, to the World Championship to be held in Kentucky on June 18th.