Thirteen-year-old Nicole Mrzywka and her 16-year-old sister, Natalie, insist they have been competing in the state fair their entire lives. “I was three months old when I first came here in 2001,” said Nicole, adding that her sister was just over two years old at the time.
The sisters and their cousin, Rylie Leer, 14, of Holley in western New York, teamed up to win 19 ribbons and two plaques in the Meat Goat competition at the New York State Fair, including grand champion, percentage doe, percentage doe reserve, master showman, blood doe, reserve junior champion, etc. with their Nubian and Boer goats.
The three girls have also been busy breeding, training and showing cows, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs. “It’s hard sometimes, but everything falls into place,” said Nicole of the teens’ hectic schedule.