Sharp-dressed Grant

You can’t win everything in life.

But, even while losing, you can look good doing it.

Grant Linville, 11, rural Ridgeville, did just that Monday — he knocked the fashion game out of the park, but was named the runner-up in the four classes he competed in at the Jay County 4-H Fair’s swine show Monday afternoon.

Being named reserve champion in four different classes is usually something to celebrate, but Grant had high expectations after winning three gilt competitions and the junior showmanship award at the fair in 2019.

The sixth grader at East Jay Elementary School, who donned a red and white floral button-up while competing, said he appreciated the opportunity to compete at the fair and hopes to do better in competitions later this year.

“I couldn’t ask for a better day (to compete),” said Grant after the show, noting the cooler than usual temperatures around noon.

It wasn’t until after the show was over when it was hotter that Grant changed out of his festive fit, laying his button-up next to another floral top he said was his backup outfit.

Grant’s mom, Joni Linville, said he picks out all of his outfits and has a closet full of them at the Linville farm.

“I want to be noticeable,” Grant, a four-year 4-H veteran, said after the show.

Joni said Grant likes to go to a clothing shop called Cowpokes Western Outfitters in Anderson in addition to ordering online to keep his outfits fresh.

Once when competing at the state fair, Grant wore a pink button-up with flamingos on it, said Cody Linville, Grant’s father. He added that a lot of pig wranglers dress like Grant in statewide competitions to stand out.

Grant will continue to look to compete in style when he performs in swine shows in Minnesota and Missouri later this year.