February 12, 2014
Texas Tech won the horse, sheep, swine and reasons divisions, and were second in beef.
Texas Tech University’s livestock judging team brought home its first win of the season this week as the students walked away with top honors Feb. 8 at the Southwestern Livestock Exposition’s Livestock Judging Contest in Fort Worth. The contest was an important win for the 16-member team.
Texas Tech won the horse, sheep, swine and reasons divisions, and were second in beef. Texas A&M University, Kansas State University, West Texas A&M University and Sam Houston State University rounded out the top five teams overall.
“This is a very talented group of students from top to bottom,” said Ryan Rathmann, the team’s coach and an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “I’m expecting them to keep working hard and challenging each other to perform even better at the next two contests.”
Texas Tech boasted six of the top-ten individuals. Nick Fitzsimmons, a junior from Vail, Iowa, was high individual overall. Taylor Frank, a junior from Berthoud, Colo., finished second while Hayden Brown, a junior from Midland, was third. Fifth-high individual was Austin Crissman, a junior from Bells; seventh-high individual was Bailey Riedel, a junior from San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and Garrett Foote, a junior from Texico, N.M. finished eighth.
The team is coached by Rathmann and graduate student Brady Ragland.
The team has two contests remaining this spring – one at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition and another at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is made up of six departments:
The college also consists of eleven research centers and institutes, including the Cotton Economics Research Institute, the International Cotton Research Center and the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute.
FacebookMeat Judging Team Wins in Fort Worth
Judging Teams Begin Year with Strong Outings
Livestock Judging Team Finishes as Reserve National Champions