Texas Tech Teams Sweep Judging Competitions

HOUSTON (March 8-19, 2008) – The Texas Tech University Livestock, Meat and Wool Judging Teams completed their spring with a sweep of the intercollegiate judging competitions at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™.  All three teams placed first in their respective divisions defeating hundreds of contestants representing universities from across the nation.

“This year's triple win shows the balance and strength of the program we are building at Texas Tech,” said Professor and San Antonio Livestock Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science Mark Miller, Ph.D. “These wins are a culmination of the hard work and dedication of the kids and coaches who represent Texas Tech.”

In the livestock judging contest, Texas Tech distanced the competition by 117 points and secured the overall title, as well as, first place in the cattle, sheep, swine, placing and reasons divisions. Texas A&M University, Oklahoma State University, Iowa State University and Colorado State University completed the top-five teams.

Five of the top-ten individuals, including High Individual Bryan Bernhard, were members of Texas Tech's team. The team is coached by Ryan Rathmann and Jon DeClerck and is comprised of the following members: Marcus Arnold, Bryan Bernhard, Jennifer Blackburn, Josh Campbell, Judd Gardner, Zach Gilbert, Colton Long, Aaron Renfroe, Gered Smith, Chance Van Dyke, Micah Walker, Troy Walker and Chance Williams.

In the meat evaluation contest, Texas Tech enjoyed a 20-point victory. This year's win marks Texas Tech's fourth consecutive championship at the Houston competition. Teams from Colorado State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University completed the top-five teams

Texas Tech's Ben Estes received second high individual honors. Top-ten honors were also awarded to Tyler Cowie and Shanna Ward who finished fifth and ninth overall, respectively. The team is coached by graduate students Jesse Collins and Justin Derington and supervised by Mark Miller, Ph.D. Team Members include: Tyler Cowie, Paden Daniels, Shayna Dunlap, Ben Estes, Matthew Morales, Trevor Thompson, Heather Veltri and Shanna Ward.

In the wool judging competition, Texas Tech narrowly defeated Angelo State University by a four-point margin. Twenty-one points separated the top five teams in the contest.

Four of the Texas Tech wool team members finished in the top-ten individuals. Graduate students L.J. Ashorn and Katie Leigh coached the 16-member team comprised of the following students: Matt Bruton, Sarah Calhoun, Adam Copeland, Collin Corbin, Kelsey Fletcher, Cade Halfmann, Kelly Hutton, Meagan Igo, Kaleigh Janota, Craig Leonard, Abby Long, Josh McCann, Jett Mason, Brandon O'Quinn, Abby Probst and Suzanne Watson.