The tradition continued Wednesday night with the crowning of “King Hog.”
This year the honor at the Hog Capital Barrow Show at Black Hawk College East Campus went to a 295‑pound crossbred shown by 9‑year‑old Brekyn Dryer of Carlock near Bloomington.
Entries were shown in purebred and crossbred divisions. The winners of each faced off for the overall title. “King Hog” was crowned after a family showdown between Brekyn, with the crossbred champion, and her 11‑year‑old sister Brenna, who showed the purebred champion. A third sister also had a strong night. Bowyn, 7, placed fourth in the purebred division.
The show provided two behind-the-scenes full circle moments for participants.
Judge Mason Engnell of Good Hope said he showed his first pig at age 4 at the Hog Capital show, which his family attended. He later enrolled at BHE and joined the sophomore livestock judging team headed for a contest in Houston with new coach Dr. Blake Bloomberg. The team had to turn around mid‑trip due to the COVID lockdown. Engnell finished classes remotely, graduated from BHE, and went on to graduate from Kansas State. He told students at the barrow show to enjoy every moment and take every opportunity. The ones he and his classmates never got to experience.
It was hard not to find a member of the Hoge family at the show this year.
Legendary and now‑retired livestock judging coach Dan Hoge, who still teaches part‑time at BHE, was there. His son Mark, a BHE grad, is now coach of the livestock judging team at Western Illinois University, which used the show as a workout. Mark and his wife Katie’s son Carter is now a senior at WIU and a member of the livestock judging team. His younger brother Nolan is now on the freshman livestock judging team at BHE. Dan’s wife Deanna was also there, supporting her boys.
Next year, in 2027, the barrow show will mark its 80th anniversary beginning with the first Hog Day Barrow Show on Sept. 22, 1947. Black Hawk East will also be observing its 60th anniversary next year.
There will be plenty to celebrate in the coming year.
