This past week students on the Texas Tech University Livestock Judging Team spent their time in Oklahoma City competing at the Cattlemen’s Congress. After a long week of competition, the Team found themselves in the winner’s circle as they brought home the High Team Overall title, along with several team members placing as High Individuals.
“We have worked hard over the last month in preparation for our first major contests,” said Skyler Scotten, Head Coach of the Texas Tech University Livestock Judging Team. “I was extremely proud to watch their hard work pay off.”
Along with the team championship, Lexi Hunt, an animal science student from Buckeye, Arizona, was named High Individual Overall with a 13-point spread as well as High Individual in Reasons, Cattle, and Sheep and Goats.
“Cattlemen’s Congress was our first national contest of the senior college season, and our team certainly started out on the right foot,” Hunt said. “Alongside a clean sweep in every division by our team, we were named High Team Overall with an 80-point spread,” Hunt said.
Although the team is just getting started, Hunt said she is ready to keep the momentum going into the upcoming contests.
“It’s always important to go into a livestock judging contest with excitement and clarity in mind, that’s why my approach to the upcoming contest will remain the same as it was going into Congress,” Hunt said.
The Team will be competing at the National Western Stock Show, Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Iowa Beef Expo, San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, National Barrow Show, Flint Hills Classic, Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock Show, State Fair of Texas, Tulsa State Fair, American Royal, and the North American National Championship. Scotten said he looks forward to working with the Team throughout the year, and that his hopes are high moving forward.
“We still have a long road to go and the students are aware of that,” Scotten said. “This is just the beginning of our journey, and everyone is still eager to learn and get better in the following months.”
The results of the Cattlemen’s Congress contest and upcoming contests can be viewed on Judging Card.
CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, Competition Field Adviser, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Davis College, Texas Tech University, at (806) 834-1135 or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu
1117NM25