Connor Sobecki of Niles won grand champion in beef feeder calves Wednesday morning at the Cass County Fair. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

CASSOPOLIS — Connor Sobecki of Niles is no stranger to being a grand champion.

But to say he took a huge step up this year at the Cass County Fair may be a bit of an understatement.

Last year, Sobecki, who goes to Brandywine, won grand champion with his duck.

Wednesday morning in the show ring, he captured the grand champion in beef feeder calves.

Sobecki has been coming to the Cass County Fair for 11 years and this is his seventh year competing.

“I am really excited,” he said. “This was a lot tougher than winning with my duck. This was really tough.”

Sobecki is a member of the Country Trailblazers.

Hannah Beckwith, also of Niles, was reserve grand champion.

Beckwith is also in her seventh year of competition at the Cass County Fair and is used to winning titles.

“At least once every year,” Beckwith, who attends Niles High School, answered when asked about previous championships. “I have won in different classes.”

Beckwith, a member of the Penn 4-H Club, said she looks forward to this week each year.

“It is really fun,” she said. “During the summer this is one of the things I look forward to.”