PROCTORVILLE — Justin Payne was all smiles after his win during the steer competition Wednesday night at the Lawrence County Fair.

The Ironton resident said he was surprised that his 1,286-pounder was named best in the show among the 23 entries.

“I guess he is pretty good looking,” 14-year-old Payne said about his steer. “There were a lot of good steers this year, but I guess mine was a little bit better than the others.”

He said the animal has a pretty good personality, although he blushed when he admitted it.

“I guess he is a fun steer. It’s a lot of hard work, but it has been pretty fun,” said Payne, a freshman at Ironton High School.

Payne also showed two feeder calves at the fair this year.

Kelsey Myers, Payne’s friend and fellow Starlite 4-H club member, was named reserve champion in the steer competition. She lives on a farm next to Payne’s farm near Waterloo and the two have known each other for years. Their older sisters competed against each other in the steer competition several years ago.

“It’s very exciting (to be named reserve champion),” the 16-year-old said with a smile. “It has been a lot of work and its great to be recognized.”

In the steer showmanship competition, Kyle Evans was named senior steer showman and Cody Myers was named junior steer showman.