Nine contestants vied for the title of Mr. UMCon Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Elected by their respective club or organization on campus, the annual event is hosted by Student Programming and Activities for Campus Entertainment (S.P.A.C.E.). The theme of this year's contest was 'Wild, Wild West."

Participants are judged on a choreographed dance routine, swim wear, talent, formal wear, and question and answer. Following the dance routine, each contestant is given an opportunity to be creative for their individual portion of the contest. From cowboy boots and swim goggles to unicycles and bicycle stunts, the participants gave it their all. Judging them were instructors for the Agriculture & Natural Resources Department: ADawn Melbye and Nicky Overgaard, and along with them, was U of M, Crookston Chancellor Charles H. Casey.

Once the participants were judged in each category, they were escorted back on stage and an eager drumroll began. Tyler Nelson, a freshman from Hinckley, Minn., majoring in agricultural systems management was crowned Mr. UMC, with Anton Young, a junior from St. Cloud, Minn., majoring in natural resources won Mr. Congeniality. The other participants included:

Karl Syverson, a senior from Minneapolis, Minn., majoring in business; Clay Schmitt, a sophomore from Delano, Minn., majoring in golf and turf management; Jakob Voight, a freshman from Jamestown, N.D., majoring in biology; Chad Harrer, a sophomore from Brooklyn Park, Minn., double majoring in golf and turf management and horticulture; Kurt Proulx, a senior from Red Lake Falls, Minn., majoring in health sciences; John Babin, a sophomore from Savage, Minn., double majoring in software engineering and information technology management; and Matthew Erickson, a senior from Erskine, Minn., majoring in business.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

In the photo: Front row (kneeling, l to r): Tyler Nelson and Anton Young. Back row: Karl Syverson; Clay Schmitt, Jakob Voight, Chad Harrer, Kurt Proulx, John Babin, and Matthew Erickson.