Greater Latrobe grad returns for 1 more competition at fair

T.J. Frye was set on skipping his last year of competition at the Westmoreland Fair.

But as the fair week got closer, thoughts of potentially regretting that decision started creeping in. So with two weeks to go, he relied on about 14 years of experience to get ready one last time.

Frye, 19, slowly walked 1,350-pound dairy cow Lucky around the ring, making sure her foot placement and display was just right for the judge. He picked up second place in his final showmanship competition through 4-H, but he’s gained a lot more from the overall experience — interpersonal skills to help with transitioning into adulthood.

“That stuff’s really big,” he said. “It definitely prepares you for applying for jobs, getting new positions.”

“When you’re prideful in your work that you do on the farm, you take a little more time to notice the pride on the work you do every day,” he said.

Frye missed the fair last year because he was at advanced individual training focused on firefighting with the U.S. Army. A soldier in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, he is taking an EMT course this fall in hopes of becoming a career firefighter, his parents said.

But on Monday, he was back in his roots, getting a halter on Lucky and guiding her to the show arena alongside people he’s known for years. Frye started participating in the fair when he was in first grade. He graduated from Greater Latrobe in 2024.

“Being a farm kid, these are the friends that you make, other farm kids,” he said.

Lucky’s milk helps Pleasant Lane Farms in Unity produce award-winning cheese at the creamery. The Frye family has operated the farm for decades.

Todd Frye said his son’s last-minute decision to participate in the fair this year prompted the family to round up the gear and all-white show outfit they thought he no longer needed. Though a surprise, it was indicative of his stick-with-it mindset.

“He’s always been the one who has pushed to do it,” Todd Frye said.

And he might be a bit of a perfectionist.

“I think because he wants to do well, so he stresses himself out to try to do better,” said Rachel Frye, his stepmother.

Family watched as T.J. Frye kept Lucky’s head up while focusing on the judge. In showmanship, it’s all about making the cow look its best.

“I think it’s something unique that not everybody can say that they do,” mother Carolyn Frye said.

She was glad he decided to finish out his last year. His final competition will be Tuesday for the dairy cattle show, when the judges will be focused on breed-specific characteristics.

“To be a good showman takes skill,” she said. ” You have to know the rules and what they expect of you, but ultimately the animal’s going to decide. I’m proud of him.”