Indianola Baton Twirler Wins 2022 Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/21/2022) (readMedia)-- Grace Wood, 20, of Indianola, placed first in the senior division during the championship round of the 62nd annual Bill Riley Talent Search Competition held Sunday, August 21, at the 2022 Iowa State Fair. Wood was awarded a $10,000 prize for her baton act.

A tie for second place was awarded to Isaac Morlan, 18, of Cedar Falls, for his trumpet and vocal solo, and a clogging quintet from Moville, Kingsley and Anthon, consisting of Lynsey Countryman, 18, Allison Reinking, 17, Hannah O'Connell, 18, Anna Heck, 19, and McKenzie Goodwin, 19.

Fourth place went to Grace Kiple, 21, of Sergeant Bluff, for her vocal and guitar solo.

Fifth place was awarded to Bailey Miller, 21, of Gowrie, for her lyrical dance solo.

Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair. The championship round took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart Radio.

More than $20,000 was awarded to the senior and sprout divisions combined. This year's contest was presented by Meta.

Sprout winners included:

Catie Christenson, 12, Dance Solo; Urbandale

Monroe Eischeid, 10; Elly Houston, 11; Sophie Hodne, 11; Tap Trio; Manning, Denison and Irwin

Kinley Oberhaus, 10; Bayleigh Sieverding, 10; Kinidi Struck, 10; Tap Trio; Davenport

Preston Martin, 11, and Arianna Bowen, 11, Jazz Duet; Norwalk

Addi Leonard, 12, Lyrical Dance Solo; Stuart

Dawson Huinker, 12, Musical Theater Vocal Solo; West Des Moines

Grace Holmbeck, 12, Guitar and Vocal Solo; Sibley

Corban McHone, 12, Vocal Solo; Fort Dodge

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 160 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Find Your Fun at the Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2022. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.