DAKOTA CITY — The 2011 TAMU Meat Judging Team ended this year’s competition season with their highest point output of the year at the American Meat Science Association International Meat Judging Contest held Nov. 13, 2011 in Dakota City, Nebraska.
The team finished overall in fifth place with 4100 points, behind Texas Tech University, Colorado State University, Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University.
The Aggies placed fourth in beef grading, fifth in overall beef and third in specifications. In individual competition, Texas A&M’s Rachel Glascock finished ninth high overall and Jake Reed finished fourth high overall in the alternates division.
Reed also was named the recipient of the Rachel Hamilton Spirit Award. This spirit award is named in memory of Rachel Hamilton who served as the coordinator of meat judging for four years until her death. The award is voted on by members of each team and considers dedication, motivation, support, encouragement and attitude.
“I am really proud of the effort given by the 2011 team and their coach Amanda Smith. They never gave up and continued to make higher scores throughout the year,” said Dr. Davey Griffin, team coordinator.
The 2011 team members include Rachel Glascock, a senior from Pilot Point; Nathan Labus, a senior from Poth; Jake Reed, a senior from Copperas Cove; Haley Kelley, a senior from Franklin; Jimmie Natho, a senior from Runge; Kyle Phillips, a senior from Vidor; and Garrett Cline, a junior from Morgan.
Amanda Smith, meat science graduate student, is the team coach.
Also this fall, the Meat Judging Team finished fourth overall at the Eastern National Meat Judging Contest on Oct. 1 in Wyalusing, Penn.; sixth overall at the American Royal Meat Judging Contest held Oct. 16 in Omaha, Neb.; and third overall at the Cargill Meat Solutions High Plains Meat Judging Contest held Oct. 30 in Plainview, Texas.
In individual competition, Labus finished eighth high at the Eastern National and Phillips placed sixth high at the CMS competition.
“Although they did not reach all of their goals, this team represented Texas A&M in a very exemplary, professional manner,” Griffin said.
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