OSU team posts record score to earn national championship

Friday, April 1, 2011

The OSU Meat Animal Evaluation Team earned its first-ever national championship and scored an overall record number of points at the 48^th annual National Collegiate Meat Animal Evaluation Contest, which was held in Stillwater March 24 and 25.

The team outscored 13 other universities to win with an overall record 9,100 points in the various competitions at OSU’s Animal Science Arena. The team also set the all-time record score in the market animal evaluation division, and won the overall cattle and swine division. It also took home the 2^nd place award in the breeding division, 3^rd in the communications division, and 5^th in the meats and sheep divisions.

OSU student Kaylee Kerbs, from Saratoga, Wyo., was high individual, setting the all-time individual record score and the record score in the market animal division. She also place 2^nd overall in swine, 3^rd in cattle, and 6^th in the breeding division contest. Chase Reed, Winfield, Kan., was 6^th overall and was 2^nd in the cattle division. Jett Eder, Sharon Springs, Kan., was 7^th overall and high individual in the swine division. Garrett Knebel, Winamac, Ind., was 12^th overall, 3^rd in the sheep division and 7^th in the swine division.

Nick Pope, Tecumseh, Okla., placed 2^nd in the market division and 8^th in the breeding division. Jeremy Leister, Amsterdam, Mo., was 9^th and Clint Mefford, Central Point, Org., was 10^th in the market division. Zach Robertson, Bland, Mo., was 10^th in cattle, and Darin Annuschat, Kingfisher, Okla., was 9^th in swine. Other members who contributed to the win include Michael McCusker-Kinna, Middletown, Md., Holly Hogue, Wilcox, Ariz., and Derek Griffing, Bixby, Okla. The team was coached by Blake Bloomberg and Dr. Gretchen Hilton.