Practice makes perfect.

Well, it helps at least.

Timmy Humphrey was named Showman of Showmen Friday afternoon at the Lawrence County Fair.

"I've been practicing with different animals the past few days," he said.

Humphrey found out Tuesday he was up for the title. Humphrey said he asked friends about their animals and practiced with them to prepare.

"It feels great," he said. "It's something I enjoy doing that I'm finally doing well at."

Humphrey has been in 4-H since he was 8-years-old. He

got a jumpstart beginning as a Cloverbud when he was 5. He began showing hogs but moved to chickens. Last year he also competed for Showman of Showmen with chickens but did not win.

This year has turned out better for the 17-year-old.

"I thought I was doing alright, but I didn't think I'd win," Humphrey said. "I guess it all averaged out."

He was right.

"The youngster who was most consistent, but not always placed highest, is the one who won," Judge Duane Plymale said. "He had been between second and fourth in all classes, except his own which he got first in, but he showed consistency."

That consistency is what got Humphrey the title Showman of Showmen, but he attributes it to where his attention was directed.

"You have to pay attention to the judge more than you pay attention to the animal," Humphrey said. "And stay calm."

In addition to consistency, Plymale said he was looking at how the participants set up the animals, how they positioned themselves in relation to the animals, knowledge of the animals being shown and their presence in the ring.

Humprey represented chickens as showman. His competitors were Tyler Bowman, representing goats; Nathan Colegrove, beef; Amanda McArthur, rabbits; Joey Stallo, swine; and Kyle Taylor, sheep.