Front Row (Left to Right): Kara Christensen, Adel; Assistant Coach Sara Morine, Lamont Back Row (Left to Right): Austin Ehlers, Storm Lake; Assistant Coach Tyler Frick, Milford; Kirk Hatfield, Leon; Dr. Sherry Olsen, Coach; Nate Sego, Webster City; Jacob Fox, Sibley
35th Annual Iowa State University Meat Evaluation Contest: The first contest of the judging season for the team was held February 23 in the Iowa State University Meat Lab. Fresh and processed meat products were evaluated, including turkey carcasses. The team finished 8th out of 10 teams that included 70 individuals. The team was 5th in Beef Grading and Overall Beef. Christensen was 7th in Lamb Judging and Sego was 9th in Pork Judging. The ISU High Individual Award was presented to Jacob Fox.
Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest:This contest was hosted by The Ohio State University – Columbus, The Ohio Pickaway Correctional Institution – Orient, and the University of Kentucky – Lexington on April 6. The team earned 1st place honors and the champion trophy out of the field of 13 teams and 65 individuals that competed. Beef, lamb, and pork carcasses were judged as well as wholesale cuts. Five sets of reasons were written and specifications were evaluated. Additional results included: Overall Beef and Beef Grading – 1st; Total Reasons – 2nd; Beef Judging – 3rd; Pork Judging, Specifications, and Total Placings – 4th; and Lamb Judging – 6th. Individual results included: Christensen – 5th Pork Judging; Ehlers – 9th Pork Judging; Fox – 6th Overall Contest, 3rd Beef Grading, Overall Beef, Specifications; 4th Total Reasons; 10th Beef Judging; Hatfield – 3rd Overall Contest; 4th Pork Judging; 6th Total Reasons; and 9th Beef Grading, Overall Beef and Specifications; and Sego – 4th Lamb Judging and 9th Total Placings.
American Royal Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest: Nebraska Beef, Omaha, NE, hosted this contest on October 20 which saw 17 teams and 115 contestants vying for top honors. The team finished in 12th place and 10th in Pork Judging. Hatfield was 5th in Pork Judging and 8th in Total Reasons. The International (National Championship) Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest: Tyson Fresh Meats, Dakota City, NE, hosted the final contest of the meat judging season. 19 teams and 120 individuals competed in the event. The team finished 15th and tied for 10th in Pork Judging. Hatfield was 6th in Lamb Judging and Christensen was awarded the Rachel Hamilton Memorial “Spirit” Award.