OSU Meat Judging Team wins another National Championship
Monday, November 21, 2016
The headline may be similar, but some of the names are different. Oklahoma State University’s Meat Judging Team recently won the National Championship, again. That makes 18, for anyone counting.
Adding to an already dominant dynasty, OSU has won more national championships in meat judging than any other school.
“We are very proud of the OSU Meat Judging Team,” said Clint Rusk, head of OSU’s Department of Animal Science. “The department has a rich history of fielding competitive judging teams which have been shown to improve critical thinking and communication skills in the students who compete on them.”
The team is made up of students from all around the country, many of which are living their dreams of competing, and succeeding, on a national stage.
“I believe OSU’s Meat Judging program has been so successful because of the tremendous people in and around the program – the students, faculty and staff in the department of animal science and the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center, and the alumni around the country,” said Gretchen Mafi, coach and Ralph & Leila Boulware Endowed Chair. “The 2016 team had a never-quit attitude and always stayed positive to achieve their goal. They started with little to no experience but as the year progressed they became truly outstanding.”
The team was 1st place in beef grading, 4th place in beef judging, 2nd place in lamb judging, 2nd place in reasons, 1st place overall in beef, 5th place in pork judging and 5th place in total placing.
Julianna Albrecht, Howard, South Dakota, was 2nd high individual, 1st in beef grading, 3rd in lamb judging, 1st in reasons and received the Food Safety Net Services Scholarship. She was one of three members to be named All-American.
Another to now don the All-American title is Abby Bechtold, Dixon, California, who was 4th high individual, 3rd in beef grading, 2nd in beef judging and 1st overall in beef.
Emily Rice, Farmington, Missouri, also was named All-American after placing 5th high individual, 5th in beef judging and 4th in total placing.
Thomas Neal, Adair, Oklahoma, placed 4th in beef grading.
Other team members included Katie Friederichs, Walcott, Iowa; Michelle Helm, Geary, Oklahoma; Taylor Husz, Maryville, Missouri; Colton Kersey, Paso Robles, California; and Chase Steele, Herald, California.
The team is coached by Mafi, Morgan Pfeiffer and Wes Griffin.