ISU Meat Judging Team
Other ISU Judging Teams
About the Team
Meat judging will help you begin acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to have a successful and fulfilling career while representing Iowa State at the highest levels.
Students who participate in meat judging are highly regarded by livestock and meat industry personnel and representatives of universities across the country and internationally. Communication, evaluation, and personal development skills mastered by meat judgers are highly valued when applying for internships and establishing careers. It is not uncommon to find alumni judgers in other careers such as academia, law or medicine.
Intercollegiate meat judging contests are supported by the American Meat Science Association (AMSA). Policies for these contests are managed by the Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association (IMCA). The Iowa State University Department of Animal Science fully supports the meat judging program and provides scholarships each semester to the young men and women who represent the department at meat judging contests.
We believe in team members that strive to do their best inside the coolers, the classrooms, and in life. If you want a career in agriculture, to make life-long friends in a family atmosphere, and push yourself further than you thought possible, we want and need you on our team.
Follow along with the Meat Judging Team at Iowa State on Facebook.
Team Coach
Caroline Downey developed her passion for the meat and livestock industries through participation in 4-H and FFA meat judging programs while growing up on her family’s farm in rural Illinois. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she competed on both the meat judging and meat animal evaluation teams and assisted in coaching collegiate meat judging teams. She later earned her M.S. in Meat Science from Iowa State University, serving as a graduate teaching assistant and meats judging coach while gaining extensive experience in meat evaluation, fabrication, processing, and youth and adult extension and outreach programs.
Currently, Caroline serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor and Meat Judging Team Coordinator and Coach at Iowa State University. In her role, she teaches courses focused on meat science, USDA grading, carcass evaluation, and retail cut identification while preparing students for intercollegiate meat judging competitions. Caroline has coached teams competing at major national contests including the National Western in Honor of Paul R. Clayton, Southeastern, American Royal, Eastern National, High Plains, and International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contests. In addition to her teaching and coaching responsibilities, she is actively involved in youth meat judging outreach, extension programming, and industry education initiatives through partnerships with 4-H, FFA, and meat processor organizations.
Team Members
Katie Finnegan
Major: Food Science
Independence, IA
Ashley Hudson
Major: Animal Science
Afton, IA
Christina Jackson
Major: Food Science
Slidell, LA
Molly Matthiesen
Major: Agriculture Studies
Bryant, IA
Leah Sargeant
Major: Agronomy
Macomb, IL
Ashtyn Jolly
Assistant Coach
Major: Animal Science
Team Accolades
| Year | Event | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March to the Arch | Team Highlights - 1st Overall, 1st in Pork Judging, Specifications, and Total Placings Individual Highlights: |
| 2025 | Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest | The Iowa State University Meat Judging Team earned top honors at the Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest. The team was named Champion Team, delivering strong performances across multiple divisions and continuing their tradition of excellence in intercollegiate competition. Team members included Hayden Brint, Avery Crooks, Elyse Dyson, Hannah Koch, Stephanie Major, and Garret Platz, coached by Ashtyn Jolly and Caroline Downey. Team
Individual
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