DALLAS – The Texas A&M Livestock Judging Team secured an impressive win at the 2013 State Fair of Texas Collegiate Livestock Contest, winning first place in each class category and securing six of the top 10 high individual awards.

Front Left: Justin James, Corey Sanchez, Keaton Doff, MaKayla Spaman, and Everleigh Hayes Back Left: Cassidy Hayes, Caleb Boardman, Konni Kelso, Kit Clostio, Brett Moriarty, Zach Davis, Kati Keys, Katie Eslick, Brent Cromwell, Holly Behrens, and Brant Poe

Texas A&M outscored second placed Texas Tech University by a margin of 89 points, followed by Colorado State University, West Texas A&M University and Angelo State University, respectively. In team competition, Texas A&M won cattle, swine, sheep and reasons.

“The team’s diligence and dedication over the past few weeks were reflected in their performance this weekend. We will take 24 hours to enjoy this and then continue building toward the next contest,” said Brant Poe, lecturer and team coordinator.

Team members are 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 senior animal science majors; Everleigh Hayes, senior agricultural leadership and development major from Port Lavaca; and Konni Kelso, senior agribusiness major from Seguin.

In individual competition, Everleigh Hayes won first place high individual, followed by Justin James, fourth; Holly Behrens, fifth; Keaton Dodd, sixth; Corey Sanchez, seventh; and Makayla Spaman, eighth.

Also, this past weekend, Texas A&M won second place at the Tulsa State Fair Collegiate Livestock Contest.

Texas A&M trailed behind first place Oklahoma State University. Rounding out the top five overall teams were Oklahoma State, Iowa State University and Texas Tech University, respectively. Individually, Spaman finished second high and Corey Sanchez came in fifth high.

The team is coached by Poe, Caleb Boardman and Cassidy Hayes. Animal science senior Brent Cromwell served as student assistant.

The team will travel to Kansas City on Nov. 1 to compete in the American Royal Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest and will close the fall competition season on Nov. 18 in Louisville, KY, at the International Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest.

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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.