Virginia State Oyster Shucking Champion Sam Davis of Urbanna placed 11th out of 35 competitors at the National Oyster Shucking Championship in Leonardtown, Md., on Oct. 17 and 18. First place was won by Andy Rodgers with a time of 2:16. Second place went to Jay Gallet (2:18). Davis’ raw time (time without judge’s penalties added) was 2:10 with 39 seconds of penalties added for a final time of 2:49.
This was his third year on the national stage representing Urbanna. Davis placed seventh in 2024, his first year, and was 13th in 2025.
Davis will defend his state champion title on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. during the State Oyster Shucking Championship conducted during the Urbanna Oyster Festival. The festival’s shucking contests are on the grounds of the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department station (the “Urbanna firehouse”) at 330 Virginia St. and attract scores of onlookers.
Davis thanked his sponsors, Parsley’s Site Works of Saluda, Oyster Company of Hayes, and Something Different restaurant of Urbanna.
