OSU Meat Judging Team wins another National Championship
OSU Meat Judging Team
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State University Meat Judging Team stands atop the meat-judging world after recently winning its 17th National Championship in the 88-year history of the competition.
With its first title since 2002, OSU’s 17 championships are more than any other university in the country. Held in Dakota City, Nebraska, the competition featured 16 teams from universities throughout the United States.
“I’m very proud of the way they represented themselves, their families, the animal science department and Oklahoma State University,” said Gretchen Mafi, Meat Judging Team head coach. “The results they earned are a testament to the hard work each member of the team has put into this.”
The team finished first in Total Beef, Beef Judging, Pork Judging, Lamb Judging, Placings and Reasons, and second in Beef Grading. While the team results speak for themselves, Jessie Heidlage, senior from Claremore, Oklahoma and Audrey Zoeller, senior from Boerne, Texas, were named first team All-American Meat Judging Team members.
Heidlage finished first in Total Beef, Beef Judging and Lamb Judging, second in Reasons and High Individual and third in Placings.
Zoeller earned second in Lamb Judging and Placings, third in High Individual, Beef Judging and Reasons and fifth in Pork Judging.
Wes Griffin, senior from Tuttle, Oklahoma, finished fourth in Placings, fifth in Beef Judging and 10th High Individual. Kaylee Price, senior from Allen, Texas, placed fifth in the High Alternates contest.
Team members Hanna Barney, senior from Wagoner, Oklahoma; Chance Billups, senior from Colcord, Oklahoma; Macy Griswold, junior from Perkins, Oklahoma; and Will Marshall, junior from Buhl, Idaho, also contributed to the championship.
“I enjoy helping young students achieve success in everything they do and watching this group accomplish their goals was truly special,” Mafi said. “ It takes so many people around the meat lab and the department to win a national championship, so this win belongs to all former judges, meat lab staff, meat science graduate students and faculty. The team and coaches would like to thank all OSU administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni for their dedication and support of the meat judging program.”
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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
