Front Row (Left to Right): Sherry Olsen (Coach); Jessica Reiners, Muscatine; Megan Place, Ceresco, MI; Lakoda Kelber, Rhodes; Jacob Thomas, Leavenworth, KS; and Lori Ellensohn (Asst. Coach), LeMars Second Row (Left to Right): Kenton Doty, Montezuma; Emily Todd, Cushing; Chris Vierck, Juneau, WI; Sara Sieren, Keota; Ashley Strauch, Metamora, IL; and Tyler Frick, Milford (Not pictured Breanna Estle, Lockridge)
34th Annual Iowa State University Meat Evaluation Contest: This contest was the first contest for the team and was hosted by the Iowa State University Meat Laboratory on February 25th. Team members include: Kenton Doty, Montezuma; Breanna Estle, Lockridge; Tyler Frick, Milford; Lakoda Kelber, Rhodes; Megan Place, Ceresco, MI; Jessica Reiners, Muscatine; Sara Sieren, Keota; Ashley Strauch, Metamora, IL; Jacob Thomas, Leavenworth, Ks; Emily Todd, Cushing; and Chris Vierck, Juneau, WI. In addition to carcasses and wholesale cuts, retail cuts, sliced bacon, boneless hams, summer sausage, and turkey carcasses were also evaluated. The team finished in ninth place amongst twelve teams and 80 individuals. Additional results included: Lamb Judging- 5th. Individual awards included: Strauch – Beef Judging- 6th. Thomas earned ISU High Individual honors.
Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest: This contest was hosted by The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; the Ohio Pickaway Correctional Institution, Orient, OH; and the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY on April 13 - 14. The team finished in sixth place and ninth place in the field of 17 teams comprised of 85 individuals. Evaluated were classes of beef, lamb, and pork carcasses as well as wholesale cuts. Additional results included: Total Reasons- 1st and 7th; Beef Grading- 2nd and 3rd; Beef Judging- 2nd and 5th; Overall Beef- 2nd and 3rd; and Pork Judging- 10th. Individual awards included: Estle - Overall Contest Individual- 8th, Beef Judging- 1st; Overall Beef- 1st, Pork Judging- 2nd, Total Placing- 3rd, and Beef Grading- 7th; Sieren – Beef Judging- 2nd and Overall Beef- 3rd; Strauch – Beef Grading- 6th; Thomas – Beef Grading- 5th and Total Placing- 8th; Todd – Beef Grading- 9th; and Vierck – Beef Grading- 3rd. Fall competitions include Fargo, ND; Omaha, NE; and Dakota City, NE. American Royal Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest: Nebraska Beef, Omaha, NE hosted this contest that hosted 15 teams and 95 individuals on October 21. The team finished in 12th place. Additional results included: Sieren – Pork Judging – 6th and Strauch – Lamb Judging – 9th.
International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest (The National Championship): Hosted by Tyson Fresh Meats, Dakota City, NE, on November 18, 16 teams and 100 young men and women competed for top honors. The team finished 12th and additional results included: Lamb Judging – 3rd and Total Placing – 7th. Frick placed 9th in Total Placings; Sieren was awarded 7th High Individual in the contest, as well as 4th in Beef Grading and Overall Beef, and 9th in Lamb Judging. Thomas was 10th High Individual in the Alternate Division. Sieren was recipient of the Rachel Hamilton Memorial “Spirit” Award.