Meat Judging Team Wins National Contest

The ASU team earned 4,074 points to win the contest ahead of second-place Colorado State University (4,037 points), third-place Texas Tech University (4,034 points) and 12 other teams from Division I universities.

In the team event standings, ASU posted five top-five rankings, finishing first in Beef Grading and Overall Beef, third in Specifications, fourth in Beef Judging and fifth in Placing. ASU also finished sixth in Reasons and Pork Judging and seventh in Lamb Judging.

Individually for ASU, Katie Austin of Bronte placed sixth overall with 1,027 points, just nine points behind the individual winner, Baylee Besse of Texas A&M University (1,034 points). ASU’s Matthew Murdoch of Marion finished ninth with 1,026 points and Danielle Freeman of Ballinger placed 14th with 1,016 points. Dalton Zipp of Marion, Bryce Patton of Silverton and Savina Robles of San Antonio also competed for ASU. The team is coached by graduate student Lexus Weinheimer of Stonewall, along with Michael Boenig and Dr. Kirk Braden of the ASU Agriculture Department faculty.

“I have always known that we have the tools to build a program of distinction,” Braden said, “and each team over the past eight years has been a valuable stepping stone in building this program. Our program has continually grown and persevered and will consistently develop with the great students, faculty, staff, campus and community support we receive.”

“I am really proud of these students and their work ethic,” Weinheimer said, “as each of them has grown throughout the fall season, and this contest is evidence of that growth. We look to take our trials and successes from this contest and realize our potential at the final contest of their judging careers.”

Other teams at the High Plains contest, in order of finish, were Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, University of Wyoming, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska, University of Illinois, University of Missouri, Michigan State University, Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, Ohio State University and South Dakota State University.

The ASU team will wrap up the fall meat judging season on Nov. 16 at the AMSA International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest in Dakota City, Neb. The International contest is considered the national championship of collegiate meat judging, and last year the ASU team was named Reserve National Champion after finishing second to Texas Tech.

For more information, contact Braden or Boenig at 325-942-2027.