Texas A&M judging teams win at National Western Stock Show
Competitive judging teams offer high-impact learning to students
Texas A&M University competitive judging teams in the Department of Animal Science are getting the year started off with a bang, bringing home champion titles from the National Western Stock Show in Denver.
But the wins represent more than just banners and ribbons.
Their success in the arena contributes to their success as students as well, said Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., head of the Department of Animal Science and interim director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Bryan-College Station.
“Competitive teams, such as the livestock, meats and wool teams in the Department of Animal Science are some of the greatest high-impact learning opportunities that we can offer our undergraduate students,” Lamb said. “As we continue to find ways to develop our students into leaders in their respective fields, competing in judging teams enhances decision-making and defending placings, which translates to skills needed throughout their careers.”
The Aggies brought home champion titles in the Meat Judging and Livestock Judging competitions and a reserve champion title and third place in the Wool Judging competition.
Lamb said these successes reflect the quality of students and coaches to the Department of Animal Science mission to provide exceptional high-impact learning opportunities to our students.
“We are proud of the recent success of our teams at the NWSS, as this reflects on the outstanding students that we have the honor to educate,” he said.
Livestock Judging Team
The Aggies brought home the Champion Team Overall award and the Reserve Champion Team Carload title. To win the overall title, they placed first in placing cattle, first in reasons, second in placing hogs and third in placing sheep/goats.
Texas A&M individuals placing were:
– Maddie Schroeder, Columbia City, Indiana, second overall — tied for first, sixth hogs, seventh sheep and goats, ninth reasons, 10th cattle.
– Logan Jackson, Eastland, first reasons, second cattle, second cattle reasons and fourth overall.
– Kristen Massingill, Hamilton, second feedlot cattle, third cattle, sixth overall, sixth reasons, ninth hogs.
– Katie Kempen, San Antonio, third reasons, fourth cattle, fifth cattle reasons, 12th overall.
– Michael Rezendes, Madera, California, 22nd overall.
The winning members of the Carload judging team are Tar Tut, Faribault, Minnesota; Gunner Crawford, Adamstown, Maryland; Logan Thomas, Raymondville; Emma Mercer, Hyattville, Wyoming; and Carter Burgin, Spearman.
Other team members are Lauren Thomas, Raymondville; Kenzy Hoffmann, New Braunfels; Brook Nervig, Roscoe; Mason Pape, Justin; Seth Hilfiker, Holtville, California; and Gage Hogan, Sterling City. The coaches are Caleb Boardman, Frannie, Wyoming, faculty member; Landon Eldridge, graduate assistant, Snook; and Kyle Despain, undergraduate assistant, Laramie, Wyoming.
The Livestock Judging Team has four competitions lined up in the next two months: Sioux Empire Livestock Show, Jan. 30; Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Feb. 4; San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, Feb. 26; and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 14.
Meat Judging Team
The Texas A&M Meat Judging Team earned the champion team title at the Jan. 16 contest at JBS beef plant in Greeley, Colorado, and coordinated by the American Meat Science Association. To win the overall champion team award, the Texas A&M team placed first in specifications, second in beef grading, second in pork judging, third in lamb judging and third in placings.
Texas A&M’s high individuals included:
– Gage Walsh, Santa Fe, third overall — tied for second, second in pork and placings, fourth grading.
– Alexandra Smith, Flower Mound, third reasons and fifth in overall, pork and specifications.
– Molly Hicks, Joshua, second grading, seventh overall.
– Bailey Lamb, Huntsville, third specifications, 10th overall.
– Cassie Brown, College Station, high point alternate.
– Morgan McKinzie, Stephenville, third alternate.
– Nathan Barrett, Normangee, 10th alternate.
Other team members included Abby Tack, Humble; Rylie Philipello, Bryan; and Avery Foster, Cedar Park. The coaches are Kaylee Greiner, Christiansburg, Virginia, and Paige Williams, Austin, and the faculty coordinator is Jennifer Wyle, Boerne.
The Meat Judging Team will next compete Jan. 30 at Columbia Packing in Ennis as a part of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Wool Judging Team
Texas A&M’s Wool Judging Teams competed in the National Western Collegiate Wool Contest, placing second and third. They were the high team in placings and reasons, and four team members placed in the top 10 overall — Hayden White, Waco, second; Cooper Ford, Weslaco, third; Caitlyn Hobbs, Mt. Pleasant, fifth; and Makayla Waiser, Kerrville, ninth.
In the alternates contest, Texas A&M had seven individuals in the top 10: Grace Parks, Essex, Vermont, first; Michael Penner, Cameron, second; Jodi Hoke, Huntsville, third; Logan Moore, Eldorado, fourth; Emily Ecord, Groveton, fifth; Rachael Detten, Hereford, sixth; and Elise Stovall, Katy, eighth.
Other team members include Abigail Borden, Kerrville; Avery Flanagan, Ballinger; Zachary Hoelscher, Robinson; and Jaxson Zimmerman, Franklin. Coaches include Shawn Ramsey, Ph.D., faculty, and Carson Millican, Seminole; and the assistant coaches are Miles Mathis, Kingsville, and Caleb Kott, Junction.
The Wool Judging Team will compete at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and March 14 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
