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NewsCut
Bob Collins

Wisconsin sweeps cheese championship

In this photo taken Tuesday, March 7, 2017, judge William Wangerin, front, and three other judges consider cheeses at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in Green Bay, Wis. The contest organizer, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, says the number of cheeses, yogurts and butters competing at this year's event is at an all-time high. They say it's because cheesemakers are seeing what a win does for sales. Judging was set for Tuesday and Wednesday, with winners announced Thursday. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger)

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This is what pure happiness looks like. And who can blame him. He's a big cheese.

What we're looking at here is some cheesey sportsmanship. It's Marieke Penterman, of Holland's Family Cheese in Thorp, congratulating master cheese maker Mike Matucheski, of Antigo, Wis., who has won the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. Penterman finished third.

Matucheski rode his reserve black pepper bellaVitano to victory in a contest in which Wisconsin retained its cheesehead status by sweeping the competition held in Green Bay last night.

There's something comforting about people getting excited about cheese.

What do you say when you win the cheese championship?

You thank the cows.

“I have a lot of people to thank, starting with the farmers and the wonderful cows,” Matucheski said. “Nobody thought this could become what it did. The flavors were a challenge.”

Fifty judges from 18 states determined the winners, Wisconsin State Journal reports.

Since 1981, Wisconsin cheesemakers have won the championship 14 times in 19 competitions.