STILLWATER, Okla. – Winning a national championship is hard to do. Winning back-to-back championships is more difficult that eating soup with a fork, but that is exactly what the Oklahoma State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team just did.

Competing on their home turf in Stillwater, the OSU Cowboys did not just claim the 2015 Meat Animal Evaluation Contest national championship; they did it with style. In the 51-year history of the contest, no total team score or animal market division score has ever been higher than this year’s OSU team.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication this team has shown,” said Blake Bloomberg, coach and assistant professor in OSU’s Department of Animal Science. “The results are a true testament to their perseverance and tireless work ethic.”

The OSU team also won the market animal division, meat division, cattle division, swine division, sheep division and communication division. Additionally, the team placed 4th in the breeding animal division.

“I was glad to see the diversity of skills from out team put on display,” said Gretchen Mafi, coach and animal science associate professor. “The results they got in each division are something to be proud of.”

Blythe Graham, Crossville, Tennessee, was the high individual overall, setting a new individual record score. She also set the record score for the market division, and was 5^th in the swine, sheep and cattle divisions, as well as 7^th in the breeding division.

Audrey Zoeller, Boerne, Texas, won the meats and cattle division.

Samantha Anthony, Taneytown, Maryland, was 5^th high individual overall, 6^th in the market division and 3^rd in the sheep division.

Elizabeth Nixon, Rapidan, Virginia, was 6^th overall and 6^th in the market division.

Matt Walta, Kingfisher, Oklahoma, was 9^th overall, 2^nd in the market division and 3^rd in the swine division.

Ethan Propp, Adair, Oklahoma, was 2^nd in the beef division, 7^th in the meats division and 10^th in the market division.

Kyndal Reitzenstein, Kersey, Colorado, was 6^th in the breeding division and 9^th in the market division.

Dyson Runyon, Madill, Oklahoma, was 2^nd in the cattle division and 4^th in the market division.

Jessie Heidlage, Claremore, Oklahoma, was 3^rd in the market division and 2^nd in the sheep division.

Wes Griffin, Tuttle, Oklahoma, was 7^th in the market division.

Chance Billups, Colcord, Oklahoma, was 2^nd in the meats division.

Macy Griswold, Perkins, Oklahoma, was 4^th in the meats division.

Kaylee Price, Allen, Texas, was 5^th in the meats division.

Other team members include Ricky Burns, Flora, Indiana; Trent Ray, Abingdon, Illinois; and Lindsay Tasos, Madera, California.

Assistant coaches are Morgan Neilson, Taylor Graham and Kelly Vierck.

PHOTO CAPTION: Front row (L-R): Kaylee Price, Elizabeth Nixon, Blythe Graham, Sam Anthony, Lindsay Tasos and Audrey Zoeller. Back row (L-R): Blake Bloomberg, coach, Morgan Neilson, assistant coach, Matt Walta, Macy Griswold, Taylor Graham, assistant coach, Jessie Heidlage, Kyndal Reitzenstein, Trent Ray, Ricky Burns, Wes Griffin, Dyson Runyan, Chance Billups, Ethan Propp, Gretchen Mafi, coach, Clint Rusk, animal science department head and Kelly Vierck, assistant coach.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.

REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Sean Hubbard
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
145 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4490
Fax: 405-744-5739
Email: sean.hubbard@okstate.edu