UCM Students Capture $11,500 in Financial Awards, Finish Second Overall in 11th State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition

By Jeff Murphy, November 4, 2021

Receiving financial awards of $11,500 combined in the State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition, University of Central Missouri student competitors Mayce Axtell, second from left, and RJ Appleberry, third from left,  huddle for photos with team advisor Brad Collins, left, State Farm representative, and team coach Tyler Hirlinger, assistant instructor in marketing at UCM.

WARRENSBURG, MO – Two University of Central Missouri students captured second place overall after collecting two first-place and one second-place award in specific categories during the 2021 State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition Oct. 29 at UCM.

Now in its 11th year, the competition is made possible through an outstanding partnership between State Farm and UCM, and is an opportunity to showcase students' innovative marketing ideas and their individual sales skills. Each fall, students and faculty members from universities across the U.S, along with representatives from State Farm, come to UCM and the Warrensburg community to compete in this day-long event. The competition offers an environment that delivers a unique educational experience along with networking opportunities for the next generation of marketing and sales professionals.

Two competitors from UCM were RJ Appleberry, a student from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, majoring in events marketing and management with a minor in leadership studies, and Mayce Axtell, a student from Laredo, Missouri, majoring in management with a concentration in learning and development. Axtell captured top honors in the life insurance role play category, which earned her a $3,000 award, while Appleberry finished second in that category, and received a $1,500 award. Their first-place finish by teaming up for the marketing presentation led to a $5,000 award, which was split by both team members.

While the University of Houston tallied more points in the competition, UCM’s team earned the highest amount of prize money among the 11 competing universities. The team combined to take home over $11,500 in prizes, which included the $1,000 prizes awarded to each student for being selected to compete.

The annual competition is hosted by the UCM Marketing Program in cooperation with representatives of State Farm. Tyler Hirlinger, assistant instructor of marketing, coached the team. Brad Collins, sales leader at State Farm, served as team advisor. 

Charles Schwepker, Randall and Kelly Harbert Marketing Professor in the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies, has a long affiliation with this program and in preparing students to serve in marketing professions. He expressed his appreciation to State Farm, which has employed many UCM alumni, for making this annual opportunity possible.

"UCM and the Marketing Program are delighted to host the annual State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition. This is a great opportunity for our students, as well as those from universities across the country, to showcase their talent,” he said. “We very much appreciate State Farm for sponsoring this competition.  It highlights their commitment to fostering student learning in higher education."

For more information about the State Farm Marketing and Sales Competition, contact Schwepker at 660-543-8554, or Schwepker@ucmo.edu or visit the competition website at ucmo.edu/statefarm.