Texas Tech Meat Judging Team
The 2011 Texas Tech Meat Judging Team took home the first place title at the American Meat Science Association's International Meat Judging Contest held Nov. 13 in Dakota City, Neb. Winning by a 20-point margin, the team scored an overall 4,176 points. The Red Raiders also won awards in the reasons, beef judging, beef grading and overall beef divisions. Rounding out the top five teams in the contest were Colorado State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M University. "This team committed themselves to being the best," said Mark Miller, a Texas Tech Horn Professor and San Antonio Livestock Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science. "They were unselfish and weren't worried about their individual achievements. This resulted in one of the most consistent finishes I have ever seen in a meat judging contest."
Individual placements are as follows:
Jerra McMath, a senior from Estania, N.M., placed fourth overall
Travis Begley, a junior from Plainview, placed fifth overall
Zach Smith, a junior from Sweetwater, placed seventh overall
Dakotah Williams, a junior from Glenrose,placed tenth overall
In the alternate division:
Drew Cashman, a junior from New Windsor, Md., won the division
Cody Helms, a senior from Cleburne, finished second
Amanda White, a senior from Garden City, Kan., placed third
Andrea Nordman, senior from Florence, placed fifth
Craig Russell, a senior from Visalia, Calif., placed seventh
Faith Jurek, a junior from Goldthwaite, placed eighth
Natalee Smith, a senior from Albemarle, N.C., finished ninth
Additional team members included Blaine Corliss, a senior from Estancia, N.M.; Mandy-Jo Laurent, a junior from Nacogdoches; Cody Sultenfuss, a junior from Little-River Academy; and Kaitlyn True, a junior from Plainview. The team was coached by Miller and graduate student Shanna Ward.
Texas Tech team members Begley, McMath and Zach Smith were named 2011 First Team All-American members. Williams was named a 2011 Second Team All-American member. All-American members are selected based upon scholastic achievement and competition performance. The prestigious Rachel Hamilton Spirit Award was given to Sultenfuss in recognition of the commitment, dedication and teamwork he displayed during his meat judging career.
The team won 5 of 7 contests they competed in which included the Southwestern, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, American Royal, Eastern National and International. Texas Tech boasts a total of nine national championships in intercollegiate meat judging and has won 22 of its past 28 competitions.
Members competing on the 2012 team include:
Tanner Adams, a sophomore from Sanger
Weston Burson, a sophomore from Florence
Colton Christian, a sophomore from Farwell
Dan Crownover, a sophomore from Italy
Bradley Davis, a junior from Lubbock
Steven Ebeling, a sophomore from Plainview
Garydale Grubelnik, a junior from Raton, N.M.
Bo Hutto, a sophomore from Hondo
Trevor King, a sophomore from Winnsboro
Valerie Manning, a sophomore from Mabank
Zac Miller, a sophomore from Seymour
Dewayne Phillips, a sophomore from Stephenville
Heather Rode, a sophomore from Doss
The 2012 team started the year with a first place finish at the National Western. The Red Raiders boasted the top four individuals in the competition and had five of the top-ten in the alternate division. They look forward to upcoming contests at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, American Royal, Cargill High Plains, Eastern National and International.