University of Wyoming judging team wraps up successful season
After a successful spring season, the University of Wyoming’s (UW) collegiate meat judging team finished the year with an impressive fall performance.
Members of the team include Jordan Anderson of Centre Hall, Pa.; Kristy Benjamin of Boulder, Colo.; Kaitlyn Brandenburg of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Aida Hester of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo.; Assistant Coach Tessa Maurer of Arvada, Colo.; Coordinator McKensie Phillips; Joe Mills of Peyton, Colo.; Stella Ordahl of Savage, Minn.; Emi Ramirez of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Hailey Rasmussen of Estes Park, Colo.; Koy Stanley of Midland, Texas; Sarah Turner of Cheyenne and Samantha Waller of Basalt, Colo.
The UW team finished in the top 10 overall in all four contests they competed in during the fall season. They achieved both individual and team successes, particularly in their last two tournaments.
In their third contest of the season, the team finished third in lamb judging at the Cargill High Plains Meat Judging Contest in Friona, Texas.
Brandenburg, Hester, Mills, Rasmussen and Turner each earned a perfect score in the specifications division. Brandenburg also finished second in the beef grading category, third in overall beef and first in the placings division, earning her a 10th place overall finish.
The UW team’s final contest of the year – the American Meat Science Association’s International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest – took place in Dakota City, Neb. The team again won third in lamb judging, and two students finished in the top 10.
Hester achieved seventh place, and Turner finished ninth overall.
At the end of the fall season, judgers from each collegiate team honor one of their members who exemplifies the work ethic, teamwork and supportive attitude of Rachel Hamilton, a former program director of the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Program. The UW meat judging team nominated Ordahl as UW’s Rachel Hamilton Memorial Spirit Award winner for her positivity, enthusiasm and dedication.
