An Iowan will be taking part in the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship tomorrow in Oklahoma City. At age 20, Will Epperly will be one of the youngest contestants. Epperly calls auctions at Spencer Livestock Sales when he isn’t attending classes at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer.

Epperly spent much of his youth listening to auctioneers while accompanying his father to livestock auctions back in his native Virginia. He says it’s a thrill to be in Oklahoma and it’s a real honor to be in the contest as he’s going up against several auctioneers who have been his mentors.

Epperly was one of ten finalists in regional competition at Crawfordsville, Nebraska. He says a good auctioneer keeps a sale moving and demonstrates a good working knowledge of the livestock he sells.

“They’re probably going to ask in interview, why did we enter this contest?” he says. “For me, it’s my competitiveness. I wrestled. I’ve always wanted to know:  Am I the best?”

Epperly says there are some pretty good prizes awaiting the winner. There’s a world champion ring and a belt buckle, a custom pickup truck for a year, $5,000 cash, maybe a saddle, a shotgun — and other prizes.

Thirty-three finalists will compete Saturday in the 47th annual competition. It will be held at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City.

Thanks to Dan Skelton, KICD, Spencer