DARLINGTON — Redbird senior Connor Larson was named the Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month, an award sponsored by WisSports.net and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

According to WisSports, the award aims to connect consumers with Wisconsn’s dedicated dairy farmers and the youth who grow and raise food for their local communities.

Larson played running back for the state-bound football team and also participates in track and field, competing in distance events from anywhere between the shorted race (100-meter dash) to the longest (2-mile run).

When not studying or practicing, he’s helping out on two family farms — Larson Farms and Road View Dairy. He helps with field work, milking and feeding baby calves. Both farms have their milk turned into cheese by local cheesemakers (Chula Vista in Browntown, and Zimmerman Cheese in Wiota).

Larson is in his 10th year in 4-H and is a member of Darlington High School FFA. He bought his first animal at 17 and is learning about genetics in order to help breed high-quality animals. He exhibited at the World Dairy Expo this past October, and this past summer, he won the supreme dairy animal at the Lafayette County Fair. He’s also participated in the Master Showman.

In his spare time, Larson enjoys riding four-wheelers and snowmobiles, and has an interest in welding. He plans to attend Southwest Tech after high school, with a focus on either Agribusiness or Ag Science.

For more on Larson, or to see previous Wisconsin Dairy Athlete of the Month winners, visit WisSports.net.