The team was the high team in beef judging, pork judging, placings, reasons and overall beef. Individually four students placed in the top 10 overall. Placing in the top 10 were Reece Geer, Clay Center, Kansas, third; Hailey Wurtz, Seneca, Kansas, fourth; Madison Bruna, Barnes, Kansas, fifth; and Hayden Lott, Minneapolis, Kansas, 10th. In addition, four students placed in the top 10 of the alternates contest, including Jordan Sylvester, Wamego, Kansas, first; Emma Balisky, Alberta, Canada, second; August Hulse, Culver, Kansas, third; and Riley Youngers, Wylie, Texas, sixth.
Three students were recognized as All-Americans for a combination of their contest and academic performance. Receiving All-American honors were: Reece Geer, 1st Team; Hailey Wurtz, 2nd Team; and Hayden Lott, 2nd Team.
The team is coached by Dr. Travis O'Quinn and K-State graduate student Steph Witberler.
Members of the team included:
Emma Balisky, Alberta, Canada
Madison Bruna, Barnes, Kansas
Elaine Cockroft, Esbon, Kansas
Allison Davis, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Reece Geer, Clay Center, Kansas
Makenna Graney, Fennimore, Wisconsin
August Hulse, Culver, Kansas
Hayden Lott, Minneapolis, Kansas
Jordan Sylvester, Wamego, Kansas
Bailey Thornton, Wamego, Kansas
Katrina Turner, Derby, Kansas
Hailey Wurtz, Seneca, Kansas
Riley Youngers, Wylie, Texas
Picture cutline: Members of the National Champion Meat Judging Team from Kansas State University (pictured back row, l to r) are:Steph Witberler, coach; Hayden Lott, Minneapolis, Kansas; Emma Balisky, Alberta, Canada; Makenna Graney, Fennimore, Wisconsin; August Hulse, Culver, Kansas; Jordan Sylvester, Wamego, Kansas; Elaine Cockroft, Esbon, Kansas; and coach Travis O’Quinn. Front Row (l to r) are: Katrina Turner, Derby, Kansas; Allison Davis, Shelbyville, Tennessee; Hailey Wurtz, Seneca, Kansas; Madison Bruna, Barnes, Kansas; Reece Geer, Clay Center, Kansas; Riley Youngers, Wylie, Texas; and Bailey Thornton, Wamego, Kansas.
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The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu.