CORPUS CHRISTI — The Texas A&M University Academic Quadrathlon Team won the 2011 Academic Quadrathlon held Feb. 6, 2011, at the annual meeting of Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science, beating six other university teams to earn the regional title.Aggie team members are Alyzabeth Looney, a junior animal science major from Denton; Alyssa Looney, a junior ag business major from Denton; Christine Mesecher, a freshman animal science major from Richmond; and Jessica Steger, a junior animal science major from Del Valle. The team is coached by Dr. Jodi Sterle, associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Animal Science.

University of Tennessee finished second and University of Florida came in third.

The first two legs of the competition were coordinated by Dr. Sterle and conducted on the TAMU campus on Feb. 5. Saddle and Sirloin Club students, Associate Department Head Dr. David Forrest, and numerous departmental faculty and staff helped conduct the practicum and written exams. The teams then traveled to Corpus Christi the next day to complete the final two portions of the competition – a 12-minute oral presentation on a topic related to a livestock production issue, and the quiz bowl. The A&M team placed among the top three in every segment of the competition and was undefeated in the round robin format of the quiz bowl.

By winning in Corpus Christi, the Aggie team advances to the national competition which will be held later this year.

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