Michelle Colgan has shown steers at the Douglas County Fair for years, but this year was the first time one of them earned the title of grand champion.

Colgan was elated.

“It feels really good,” the 18-year-old rural Lawrence girl said. “Every year we’ve tried our hardest but never did get that far.”

The 1,339 pound steer she called J.P. sold for $3,297 during Sunday’s 4-H and FFA livestock auction, the final event of the fair, which began more than a week ago. J.P. was purchased by Checkers, Gabriel Farms and Mark and Brenna Wulfkuhle.

Colgan, a member of the Clinton Eagles 4-H club, said she would use the money to help pay college expenses. In a few days she will start her freshman year at Kansas State University.

A total of 119 animals were sold during the auction, with sales totaling $114,025, according to fair officials. The auction was held in the Community Building arena at the fairgrounds.

While Colgan was savoring the results of long hours and many days worth of work raising J.P., John Brown was equally happy with his grand champion market hog. The 268-pound female hog, which Brown didn’t name, was purchased by Hy Vee Food & Drug in Lawrence for $1,876.

“It’s a real big honor,” said Brown, 17, a member of the Palmyra 4-H club and who will be a senior at Baldwin High School this year. “Douglas County has one of the most competitive fairs anywhere. It’s good to see everybody do well.”

Brown said his money also woulld be used for education, with most if not all going into a college education savings account.

Brown said he probably would enter another hog in next year’s fair, but for Colgan, this will be the last time she shows a steer at the fair.

“I thought about it, but this way I’ll go out on top.”