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March 29, 2007
Meat Animal Evaluation Team Wins National Title
Texas Tech University’s Meat Animal Evaluation Team won first place in the 2007 National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest, a first for Texas Tech in the championship’s 43-year history.
Written by Cory Chandler
Back Row L-R: Jeff Berry, Cheyenne, Wyo., Matthew Stolz, Brenham, Jordan Hicks, Hereford, Brett Gaylord, Jayton, Greg McNeil, Rosharon, Coach Ryan Rathmann, Coach John Kellermeier
Front Row L-R: Coach Todd Beyers, Clint Halfmann, Wall, Jonathan Hisey, Rule, Landi Woolley, Grandview, Amber Harris, Pearland, Andrew Hokanson, Dumas, Travis O'Quinn, League City, Garrett Holder, Andrews
The contest, which took place March 22-24 at the Oklahoma City Stockyards and Oklahoma State University, required competitors to draw on wide-ranging knowledge of areas such as livestock evaluation, meat judging and agricultural communications.
Texas Tech boasted eight out of ten of the top individual rankings and the team claimed 1st place in the Market Animal Division and Breeding Animal Division. Combined with 3rd place rankings in Communications and Meat Divisions, the team scored a total 8,450 points, earning the top spot in the overall standings.
“I think that this win is a testament to the multi-faceted education that students receive through Texas Tech’s meat and livestock evaluation program,” said coach Ryan Rathmann.
Team members noted that the National Meat Evaluation Contest is the only of its kind that requires students understand all aspects of livestock supply chains – from seedstock to consumer.
“Students must be well-rounded, well-versed and intelligent to compete successfully in this competition,” Rathmann said. “I’m proud of the win and these students, and I believe their success is a reflection of the education Texas Tech provides.”
Meet the Team
Team members include the following: Jeff Berry, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Matthew Stolz, Brenham; Jordan Hicks, Hereford; Brett Gaylord, Jayton; Greg McNeil, Rosharon; Clint Halfmann, Wall; Jonathan Hisey, Rule; Landi Woolley, Grandview; Amber Harris, Pearland; Andrew Hokanson, Dumas; Travis O'Quinn, League City; Garrett Holder, Andrews.
The team was coached by Todd Beyers, John Kellermeier and Rathmann.
Story produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing, 806-742-2136.
Web layout by Gretchen Pressley