K-State crowned National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team

-K-State

April 13, 2018

-K-State

April 13, 2018

Photo courtesy K-State

Members of the National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team from Kansas State University, front row, left to right, are: Chris Mullinix, Manhattan, Kan., coach; Lauren Prill, Wichita, Kan., assistant coach; Wyatt Durst, Morrowville, Kansas; Shayne Myers, Colusa, California; Cara Comstock, Deerfield, Missouri; Whitney Whitaker, Templeton, California; Hannah Frobose, Pemberville, Ohio; Nicole Kibler, Edinburg, Virginia; Emilee Holt, Caldwell, Idaho; Rachel Footit, Meriden, Connecticut; Jake Pettigrew, Columbia City, Indiana; Cody LaFrentz, Bienfait, Saskatchewan, Canada; and Travis O'Quinn, Manhattan, Kan., coach. Standing (back row, l to r) are: Kolton Aubuchon, Trinidad, Colorado; Dean Klahr, Holton, Kansas; Cameron Hayden, Cassopolis, Michigan; Payton Dahmer, Nevada, Missouri; Trevor DeHaan, Taylor, Missouri; Shilo Schaake, Westmoreland, Kansas; Cody Boden, Clear Brook, Virginia; and Lucas Tuck, Bowling Green, Ohio.

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team won National Champion honors at the 2018 Collegiate Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in Lubbock, Texas. The team was recognized April 10 following the three-day competition.

The event, previously known as the AKSARBEN contest, now rotates between host institutions across the country. The competition includes live market animal carcass predictions and pricing, breeding animal evaluation and meat judging competition and truly serves as a capstone judging experience for students with its incorporation of so many industry applicable concepts.

The team placed first in the breeding, communication and pork divisions of the contest. Individually K-State had two place in the top five overall. Shilo Schaake, Westmorland, Kan., was second overall and Payton Dahmer, Nevada, Mo., was fourth overall.

"Meat animal evaluation is a challenging contest and we are impressed by these students' dedication and hard work," said Evan Titgemeyer, K-State Animal Sciences and Industry interim department head. "This contest not only tests a student's ability in meat and livestock evaluation, but also requires that they understand pricing, which is particularly important in today's value-based marketing system. We're proud of the students and coaches for bringing home the national title for the third year in a row."

The team is coached by Travis O'Quinn and Chris Mullinix and assisted by graduate student Lauren Prill.

Team Results: