The year has barely started, and Texas Tech University's Department of Animal & Food Sciences has already added two major honors to its burgeoning trophy case with the Wool Judging Team claiming reserve championship wins at the 7220 Wool Invitational Contest in Wyoming and the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

Hosted by the University of Wyoming’s Animal Science Department, the 7220 Wool Invitational was held on Tuesday (Jan. 9) at the Albany County Fair Grounds in Laramie, Wyoming. Three members of the Texas Tech team - Abigail Cathey from New Home, Kyndal Edwards from Sudan and Hannah Hefner from Pasadena - placed in the top 10 individually at the competition.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, (Jan. 11) the Red Raiders rolled to another reserve championship at the National Western Stock Show with Edwards, Ragan Levien from Junction, and Leah Pfeiffer from Temple placing in the top 10 individually at the competition.

Other team members include:

• Aniston Patschke from Idalou
• Sarah Wells from Grapevine
• Abi Cathey from New Home
• Lacy Clarke from Hondo
• Brady Reasor from New Berlin
• Graden Allen from Abernathy
• Jentry Chisum from Abernathy
• Paris Walker from Celeste
• Ally Damico from Celeste
• Wyatt Keeney from Perrin

The Texas Tech team is coached by graduate student Kade Miller, along with Cole Levien and Cross Knittel. The team will compete later this spring at contests hosted by the San Antonio Stock Show and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Chair and Professor, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu

0116NM24