Texas Tech Meat Judging Team Wins Third Consecutive Victory

Written by: Jessica Behnham

The Texas Tech University Meat Judging Team earned their third first-place finish Oct. 19 with a win at the American Royal Meat Judging Contest in Omaha, Neb. Texas Tech posted an 80-point victory over their nearest competitor, Colorado State University. Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University and Texas A&M University placed third through fifth, respectively. "The team won its third contest in a dominating fashion," said Mark Miller, professor of meat science and muscle biology and San Antonio Livestock Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science. "I am proud of the excellence the team members and coaches are displaying at each contest." Individually, the team members finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the overall competition. Texas Tech also boasted the first, second and seventh highest-ranking individuals in the alternate division. The team is coached by graduate students Jesse Collins and Justin Derington and supervised by Miller. Team members are: Tyler Cowie, Paden Daniels, Shayna Dunlap, Ben Estes, Matthew Morales, Heather Veltri and Shanna Ward. The win at the American Royal follows an Oct. 4 victory at the Eastern National Meat Judging Contest in Pennsylvania, and a win at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March. The team will compete in one more contest before the international competition Nov. 16 in Dakota City, Neb. CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, unit coordinator, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, (806) 742- 2805, or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu.