Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

Andrew Donald from Mesa, was named the champion at the 39th Annual Vertilee Floyd Memorial Old-Time Fiddlers Contest, Arizona State Championship, which was held in Payson during the weekend.

This is the third time in a row Donald has won the Arizona State title. This has not been done since 1985 and this young man is only 17 years old, the youngest three-time winner ever for Arizona. Because he has won the state championship three years in a row, he has to retire for five years from competing for the Arizona State Championship.

Division first-place winners were as follows:

Small Fry, Elizabeth Johnson, Camp Verde

Junior-Junior, Brandi Shaan, Phoenix

Junior, Andrew Donald, Mesa

Young Adult, Matthew Rolland, Mesa

Adult, Peter Rolland, Mesa

Senior, Sue Elsclager, Tucson

State champion winners division

First, Andrew Donald, 17, Mesa; second, Katherine Messer, 14, Scottsdale; third, Matthew Rolland, 22, Mesa; fourth, Hans Bhalla, 15, Tucson; fifth, Peter Rolland, 63, Mesa, sixth; Eden Rolland, 27, Phoenix; and seventh, Brandi Shaan, 11, Phoenix.

Special Awards

Youngest Fiddler, Elisabeth Johnson, 9

Eldest Fiddler, Ruth Gilpin, 95

JW, Vertilee, and Kayla Floyd Memorial Award, Lauriena Rinehart

Accompanist first place, Michael Rollan, who was only able to be at the contest on Sunday.