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Local auctioneer Lance Cochran was one of three Oklahomans to make the championship round at Livestock Marketing Association’s 45th annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship on Saturday.

However, Matt Lowery of Burwell, Nebraska, claimed top honors. Reserve World Champion is Ted Odle of Brush, Colorado, and Runner-Up World Champion is Ty Thompson, of Billings, Montana. You might recognize the name Odle — he was one of the early parts of the Superior Livestock Satellite Auction team.

The remaining seven finalists, in alphabetical order, were: Cochran, Medford, Oklahoma; Charly Cummings, Yates Center, Kansas; Justin Dodson, Welch, Oklahoma; Tom Frey, Creston, Iowa; Brian Little, Wann, Oklahoma; Paul Ramirez, Tucson, Arizona., and Rick Shoemaker, Kearney, Nebraska.

Over 5,000 head of livestock moved through the ring at the host market, Sioux Falls Regional Livestock, before a crowd estimated at 1,000 people. Another 500 persons watched the competition via the Internet.