By Victoria Pilger
Left: Caleb Boardman, Brett Moriarty, Justin James, Konni Kelso, Kati Keys, Makayla Spaman, Katie Eslick, Everleigh Hayes, Holly Behrens, Corey Sanchez, Keaton Dodd, Zach Davis, Cassidy Hayes and Brant Poe
FORT WORTH — The Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Team won first place at the 2013 Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show on Feb. 9, 2013.
Texas A&M won high team in reasons, beef cattle, swine and horses to tie Texas Tech University with 4,685 out of 5000 points. According to contest rules, when two teams tie, the team with the highest reasons score wins the competition; in this case giving Texas A&M the overall victory. Kansas State University, Colorado State University and the University of Arkansas rounded out the top five.
Team members include: Holly Behrens, from Port Lavaca, MaKayla Spaman, from Oakdale, Calif., Kit Clostio, from Sweeney, Zach Davis, from Willis, Keaton Dodd, from Blanco, Katie Eslick, from Winters, Calif., Justin James, from Prosper, Kati Keys, from Riverton, Wyo., Brett Moriarty, from Spokane, Wash., and Corey Sanchez, from Bangs, all junior animal science majors; Everleigh Hayes, junior agricultural leadership and development major from Port Lavaca; and Konni Kelso, junior agribusiness major from Seguin.
“The entire coaching staff is extremely proud of the work ethic, passion and determination demonstrated by this young team.” said Brant Poe, team coordinator and coach.
In addition to Poe, the team is coached by Cassidy Hayes and Caleb Boardman.
Individual results include:
- Hayes – second high overall; sixth high cattle; second high swine; third high reasons
- Dodd – fourth high overall; ninth high cattle; fourth high reasons
- Spaman – first high horses; fourth high cattle; ninth high reasons
- Moriarty – fifth high cattle; tenth high reasons
- Kelso – fifth high swine
- Davis – third high horses
The team began preparing last fall here at Texas A&M and spent the winter break traveling to other parts of Texas and the United States enhancing their judging skills.
“I can’t express enough how thankful we are to the producers, agriculture chapters and individuals who opened their doors to assist in our contest preparations,” Poe said. “The entire community of people working passionately toward a common cause of preparing student leaders makes it very rewarding for everyone.”
The team will travel to San Antonio on Feb. 23 to compete at the San Antonio Livestock Exhibition and will close the spring competition season on March 11 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The Livestock Judging Team trains in presentation of reasons and livestock evaluation, including the selection of beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats and horses.
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Victoria Pilger is a sophomore Animal Science major, Agricultural Economics minor from Bryan, Texas.
For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Courtney Coufal at cacoufal@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.