He got $200, too, and the chance to sell himself as one of America's best auctioneers.
Betton, 39, a sales rep for an architectural millwork firm, is a bid caller for Mark Ferry Auctioneers. He's as good as they get, a chanting, tent-raising, price-driving seller. And now he's got the gavel to prove it.
A few weeks ago, Betton, of Greensburg, beat out 34 others at the 85th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show call-off. They were judged on salesmanship, calling ability, microphone use and appearance, and ranked by eight judges from the auctioneers association.
The group will back Betton in July at the national bid-call contest in Boise, Idaho.
'It was unbelievable,' Betton said of his state win. 'It's something I've always dreamed of.'
Since he was 8, at least. That year, at his first auction with his grandfather, he was hooked. By 11, he had taken over the microphone.
'It always fascinated me,' he said. 'You don't realize, sitting there, what all's involved. The timing, the rhythm, the concentration. For some people, it's a God-given thing.'
He's got it, all right.
'The guy's good,' said Ferry, who won the contest in 2000 and helped judge this year. 'There were automobile guys, cattle guys and antique guys, general auctioneers like us. It was tough, believe me. For auctioneers, it's not to be taken lightly.'
