WICHITA — The 2011 Texas A&M Senior Livestock Judging Team won first place in the Mid-American Classic Livestock Judging Contest held Sept. 24, 2011 in Wichita, Kansas.
Texas A&M edged out Texas Tech University by nine points, followed by Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University and Colorado State University.
Aggie team members secured four of the top 10 high individual awards. Ryan Smoes, a junior agricultural business major from Hamilton, Mich., won second high individual; Cody Marburger, a junior animal science major from Round Top, finished fourth high; Marty Gifford, a junior animal science and agricultural education double major from Powell, Wyom., came in fifth high; and Erich Schatte, a junior animal science major from Giddings, placed sixth high.
“The senior team is a hardworking, disciplined crew that strives to do their best at each contest,” said Jake Franke, team coordinator. “I am proud of our coaches and team members for their tireless and selfless dedication to the department, the college and the university.
“We also appreciate the faculty, staff and Aggie alumni who offer an unsurpassed level of support to our program.”
Also competing were John Mayer, a junior from Round Top, Canaan Driebrodt, a junior from Zorn, Brad Brundage, a junior from Princeton, Mo., T.J. Skinner, a junior from Liberal, Kan., Lance Bauer, a senior from Kerrville, C.J. Mabry, a senior from Port Lavaca, and Mike Helle, a senior from Edinburg, all animal science majors; Caleb Boardman, a junior agriculture business major from Frannie, Wyom.; Jacob Shaw, an agronomy major from Smyer; Wes Regmund, a senior ag business major from Llano; and Bethanie Yeaman, a senior from Rocksprings, and Cody Trimble, a junior from Knox City, both agricultural communications majors.
Coaches are Cody Sloan and Jake Thorne.
The Livestock Judging Team trains in presentation of reasons and livestock evaluation, including the selection of beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats and horses.
The team competes next at the Tulsa State Fair on Oct. 8 and at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Oct. 10.
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