Union County 4-H Grill Masters have had a sizzling season, showcasing their grilling skills, teamwork and dedication at the Third Annual Union County 4-H Grill Masters Competition and the 2026 Regional 4-H Grill Masters Challenge.

The county competition gave local 4-H members an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in preparing chicken, beef, pork and lamb. After plenty of practice and hard work, participants competed for top honors in each meat category.

County Competition Winners
In the chicken category, Luke Groce earned first place, followed by Annabelle Groce in second, Caleb Firkin in third and Caleb Miller in fourth.

In beef, Silas Cox took first place, followed by Sam Davidson in second, Jaxson Moore in third and Zoey Miller in fourth.

Virginia Firkin earned first place in pork, with Jude Firkin placing second, Aspen Davis third, Colt Davis fourth and Mason Moore fifth.

In the lamb category, Madeleine Groce claimed first place, followed by Asher Firkin in second.

Regional Competition Results
Union County 4-H Grill Masters continued their success at the 2026 Regional 4-H Grill Masters Challenge on Aug. 19. Youth competed on junior, junior high and senior high teams, representing Union County in four meat categories.

Junior Team
The junior team earned fourth place overall. Team members included Jaxson Moore in beef, Luke Groce in poultry, Coral Davis in lamb and Mason Moore in pork.

Individual results included:

Luke Groce: Fourth place in poultry.
Jaxson Moore: Seventh place in beef.
Zoey Miller: Eighth place in beef.
Coral Davis: Sixth place in lamb.
Mason Moore: Eighth place in pork.
Caleb Firkin: Ninth place in poultry.
Junior High Team
The junior high team placed 12th overall. Team members included Silas Cox in beef, Caleb Miller in poultry, Asher Firkin in lamb and Aspen Davis in pork.

Aspen Davis earned an impressive third-place finish in the pork category.

Senior High Team
The senior high team brought home the regional championship, earning first place overall and securing a spot in the State 4-H Grill Masters Challenge.

Team members included Sam Davidson in beef, Annabelle Groce in poultry, Madeleine Groce in lamb and Colt Davis in pork.

Senior high individual results included:

Madeleine Groce: First place in lamb.
Sam Davidson: Fifth place in beef.
Jude Firkin: Seventh place in pork.
Colt Davis: Eighth place in pork.
Annabelle Groce: Ninth place in poultry.
The senior high team's regional victory was a significant accomplishment and an opportunity to represent Union County 4-H at the state level.

Thank You to Families and Supporters
The Union County 4-H program extends a sincere thank-you to the judges who shared their time and expertise, as well as to the parents and families whose encouragement, transportation and support make these opportunities possible. Their involvement helps young people develop valuable skills and confidence both on and off the grill.

Congratulations to all the Union County 4-H Grill Masters for their accomplishments throughout the season. Their hard work, sportsmanship and commitment to learning reflect the positive impact of 4-H youth development programs in the community.

Senior High Team Advances to State Competition
Following its first-place finish at the regional competition, the Union County 4-H Senior High Grill Masters team will advance to the State 4-H Grill Masters Challenge on Nov. 4, 2026, at the William P. Ridley 4-H Center, located at 850 Lion Parkway in Columbia, Tennessee.

Team members Sam Davidson, Annabelle Groce, Madeleine Groce and Colt Davis will represent Union County as they compete against other top 4-H grilling teams from across Tennessee. The team looks forward to putting its skills, teamwork and months of practice to the test at the state competition.

Union County 4-H is proud of these young people and wishes them the best of luck as they represent their county at the state level!

Youth interested in learning more about the Union County 4-H Grill Masters program may contact Sarah Stokely-Cook at the Union County Extension Office at 865-992-8038 or madsstok@utk.edu.