INDIANAPOLIS — The morning rounds of the International Auctioneer Championship July 19 began with 100 contestants — 73 men and 27 women. That evening, the field was whittled down to 15 men’s finalists and seven women’s finalists.
And by night’s end, Andy White CAI, (Certified Auctioneer Institute designation) from Ashland, Ohio, and Megan McCurdy, CAI, BAS (Benefit Auctioneer Specialist), from Wichita, Kan., were named IAC Champions.
The pair will go on to represent the National Auctioneers Association and the auction industry for the next year at state association meetings, at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and through a host of local, regional and national opportunities.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I think I made it through [my speech] as best I can make it through it,” an emotional White told a packed ballroom. “Judges thank you so much. NAA, thank you so much.”
Before this year, White had competed four times in the International Auctioneer Championship (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), and he was the Ohio state bid calling champion in 2007.
“It’s pretty amazing,” McCurdy said. “It was a fantastic day. It was full of tough competitors all day long in the men’s and women’s division.” Like White, McCurdy had also participated in the IAC four times prior to this year (2007, 2009, 2011, 2012), and was a state bid-calling champion, having won the Kansas title in 2010.
She also is currently serving as the president-elect of the Kansas Auctioneers Association.
Men’s first runner-up was Dustin Rogers CAI, Mount Airy, N.C.; second runner-up, Jason Miller, Quaker City, Ohio; women’s first runner-up, Christine Strobietto, Jay, Okla.; second runner-up, Emily Wears, ATS, BAS, Solon, Iowa.
Western Pa. auctioneer Matt Hostetter finished ninth in the competition.
“To see my name listed as one of the top 15 finalists advancing to compete for the championship was both a personal and professional achievement,” said Hostetter. “To finish in the Top 10 was unbelievable.
Hostetter, of Beaver Falls, Pa., is the reigning Pennsylvania Bid Calling Champion, an honor he received in 2013 during the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
Youth winner
Earlier in the evening, Halie Behr earned the 2013 International Junior Auctioneer Championship ages 12-18), becoming the second female in two straight years, and the second female overall, to win the competition, which began in 2007, following Julia Sparks in 2012.
Chad “Cracker” Johnson, BAS, Chiefland, Fla., received the Chuck Cumberlin Sportsmanship award — a designation that drew a standing ovation from the packed house of his industry peers.
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