Texas Tech Meat Judging Team Wins Fifth Consecutive Contest

Written by: Jessica Behnham

The Texas Tech University Meat Judging Team continued its winning streak with a first-place finish at the American Royal Meat Judging Contest Oct. 18 in Omaha, Neb. Texas Tech posted a 108-point victory over its nearest competitor, Oklahoma State University. South Dakota State University, Kansas State University and Texas A&M University rounded out the top five teams at the competition. The Red Raiders placed first in the beef judging, lamb judging, overall beef, total placing and total reasons divisions. “The team won its fifth contest in a dominating fashion,” said Mark Miller, professor and San Antonio Livestock Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science. “I am proud of the excellence and focus the team members are displaying at each contest.” Individually, Matt Bruton, a junior from Throckmorton, won the contest by 19 points. Team members Meagan Igo, a junior from Plainview, and Collin Corbin, a junior from Webster, finished third and fourth overall. The team also boasted eight of the top 10 individuals in the alternate division. In addition to Bruton, Igo and Corbin, team members include:

• Sarah Calhoun, a junior from Weatherford
• Adam Copeland, a junior from Katy
• Tate Corliss, a senior from Estancia, N.M.
• Kelsey Fletcher, a junior from Universal City
• Josh Hasty, a senior from Cleburne
• Kelly Hutton, a junior from Castle Rock, Colo.
• Amber Krause, a junior from Florence
• Abby Long, a junior from Boerne
• Josh McCann, a junior from Newport, Va.
• Brandon O’Quinn, a junior from League City
• Henry Ruiz, a senior from Eagle Pass

The team is coached by Miller and Travis O’Quinn, a meat science graduate student. The win at the American Royal follows a 150-point victory at the Eastern National Meat Judging Contest in Pennsylvania and victories at the National Western Stock Show, the Southwestern Livestock Exposition and the Houston Livestock Show last spring. The team will compete in one more contest before the international competition Nov. 15 in Dakota City, Neb.  CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, coordinator of meat science programs, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-2805, or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu.