JANE BURNS

Claire Dittman is the first to admit she's not the fastest grocery bagger in the world. But she performs the task efficiently enough that she earned herself a trip to Las Vegas.

On Feb. 11, the Edgewood High School senior will represent Wisconsin in the National Grocers Association's 24th annual Best Bagger Championship. She won the state contest in September, representing Metcalfe's Market. The prize was $500.

"I'm not very fast at all, but I'm good at the weight distribution," she said. "I can make bags kind of even. I think that's what made me win."

Speed isn't the only criterion for the contest. Technique, efficiency of bag use and distribution of weight also matter.

Dittman, 17, began working at Metcalfe's last May. She's one of about 40 baggers employed at the store, and they learn the task in a training video. In 2005, Alexandra Metcalfe, daughter of store owner Tim Metcalfe, won the state contest and the trip to Las Vegas.