Davis College and the Department of Animal and Food Sciences are proud of the 2025 Texas Tech Livestock Judging Team for a phenomenal and history-making year. This remarkable group left a lasting mark on our program, earning national respect, breaking records, and setting a new standard of excellence in collegiate livestock judging. We are grateful for the families, friends, alumni, industry partners, and supporters who stood behind this team every step of the way. Below are highlights from the 2025 season and results from the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).
The team capped the year as the winningest judging team in the nation, securing eight contest championships, including titles at the Cattlemen’s Congress, National Western Stock Show, American Royal, The National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest, State Fair of Texas, Aksarben Stock Show, San Antonio Stock Show, and Fort Worth Stock Show. Additional highlights include four High Team division wins at NAILE, a commanding 98-point margin of victory at the National Western, one of the most dominant performances in Texas Tech history, and High Team Oral Reasons honors at every contest of the year they competed at. The team also swept species divisions at multiple contests and recorded a program milestone with an undefeated season in Oral Reasons.
The team opened the season with tremendous momentum, capturing National Champion honors at both the Cattlemen’s Congress and the National Western Stock Show. Lexi Hunt earned High Individual Overall at both contests and multiple team members placed within the top ten overall and across species divisions. These early wins showcased the depth, competitiveness, and talent of this year’s team and set the tone for one of the strongest seasons in program history.
Coach Skyler Scotten reflected on the season stating, “The 2025 Texas Tech Livestock Judging Team demonstrated a high level of preparation, accountability, and competitive maturity throughout the season. This group brought together students with diverse backgrounds who collectively upheld the longstanding expectations of the Texas Tech program. They approached every day with discipline, purpose, and professionalism. Each member contributed meaningfully to the team’s culture, strengthening both performance and cohesion. Across the year, the 2025 team represented Texas Tech University with integrity and was the winningest team of the season.”
At NAILE, Texas Tech earned high team honors in Performance Cattle, Reasons, Sheep/Goats Reasons, and Swine Reasons. They also finished second in Performance Sheep and Performance Swine, and placed third in Cattle, Cattle Reasons, and Overall Team. Individually, two Red Raiders placed in the top ten overall: Lexi Hunt (4th Overall, High Individual Oral Reasons) and Kinsey Gardner (7th Overall, High Individual Swine). Other team members on the floor included Mason Allan (13th Overall, High Individual Sheep/Goats), Blake Janssen (6th High Individual Oral Reasons, 9th High Individual Cattle), and Bradie Midcap (8th High Individual Oral Reasons).
The season also brought All-American recognition to seniors Kinsey Gardner of Gatesville, Texas, and Jack Habjan of Linwood, Kansas, honoring their academic excellence, industry involvement, and community service. Bringing home a well-deserved honor, Coach Skyler Scotten was named National Coach of the Year.
The team is advised by Dr. Ryan Rathmann, the winningest coach in the century-long history of collegiate livestock judging, who shared, “I’m extremely proud of the caliber of students on the 2025 team. They are one of the most talented teams in Texas Tech history, but more importantly, they are high-integrity, hardworking, selfless individuals. They will be in high demand from future employers, and I look forward to the impact they will have on the livestock and meats industry.”
Beyond the banners and score sheets, this group of students has been defined by their character. They showed up early, stayed late, held each other accountable, and pushed one another to be better every single day. Their commitment to excellence, academically, professionally, and personally, has been evident in the way they prepared, traveled, competed, and represented Texas Tech across the country. They have acted with humility in victory, resilience in adversity, and a deep sense of pride in the program and each other.
We are proud to recognize every student who contributed to this team’s success throughout the year: Mason Allan of Nocona, Texas; Dakota David of Pilot Point, Texas; Kinsey Gardner of Gatesville, Texas; Jack Habjan of Linwood, Kansas; Cade Haggard of Buckeye, Arizona; Lexi Hunt of Buckeye, Arizona; Blake Janssen of Amber, Oklahoma; Paige Lemenager of Hudson, Illinois; Jayce Meyring of Alliance, Nebraska; and Bradie Midcap of Wray, Colorado. Their dedication, work ethic, and love for the livestock industry have elevated the program and set a high standard for future Red Raiders. This group has left an impression far bigger than any contest result, and their legacy will continue to shape the Texas Tech Livestock Judging Team for years to come.
CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Chair and Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu
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