(La Porte County, IN) - A local farm boy has reached the top of the mountain for the very first time, for showing animals during the La Porte County Fair.

A female sheep belonging to Nic Spence, 17, was declared the Grand Champion among other ewes shown before the judges this week.

The La Porte High School student and longtime 4H member, who has never had a Grand Champion animal during his years of showing animals at the fair, was sort-of taken aback when his ewe was announced as the best overall.

“I didn’t really know what to think. It was unbelievable to be honest. I was really happy about it, though,” Spence said.

He also entered a spotted pig that was named Reserve Grand Champion Gilt for that breed.  

His family lives on Johnson Road near the Indiana Toll Toad, on a farm with about 100 sheep.