Eighteen-year-old hog showing veteran Joey Stallo will continue to compete in the Showman of Showmen after giving the best hog presentation Thursday.

He beat out fellow 4-H members and hog showers Nick Howard, Gretchen Dickess and Ethan Wilson for the title of overall Market Hog Showmanship winner.

After showing hogs for nine years, Stall said he does not use any special tactics when in the ring.

"I just get the pig between me and the judge and keep it moving," he said.

Perhaps it was Stallo's years of practice that helped him win, or maybe those simple actions were just what Judge Jeff Ryan sought.

Ryan said there are many factors that play into the choosing a showman such as being able to see the hog.

"I look to see that they keep the pig at the right distance - I prefer 12 to 15 feet - so the judge can look at the pig, not them," he said.

Other factors include eye contact, cleanliness of the hog, how and where the showman hits the hog, appearance of the hog and showman and the showman's conduct.

The first place Market Hog showmanship winners in each class were Joey Stallo, overall swine showmanship; Lindsey Kouns, Junior Skillathon; J.E. Pinkerman, Intermediate Skillathon; Joey Stallo and Chris Ridenour, Senior Skillathon; Joey Stallo, 17-18-year-olds; Nick Howard, 16-year-olds; Gretchen Dickess, 15-year-olds; Ethan Wilson, 14-year-olds; Stormi Myers, 13-year-olds; Luke Taylor, 12-year-olds; Brandy Hill, 10-11-year-olds; and Jillian Salyers, eight- and nine-year-olds.