UW Meat Judging Team Member Notches Record Performance

One team member earned the highest score ever in University of Wyoming meat judging competition, and the team captured reserve champion honors and third place in its first two competitions this semester.

The team’s reserve champion placing at the National Western Stock Show in January was the second-highest team score by a UW team. The competition was at Greeley, Colo. UW finished in the top four teams in beef judging, beef grading, overall beef, pork judging, specifications and reasons.

Blake Ochsner of Torrington earned the highest individual score in UW history while placing third in individual honors and finishing in the top five in five divisions at the show. Erin Hansen of Laramie finished eighth high individually while placing third in beef judging. Eli Lindsey, Taylorstown, Va., finished as the 11th individual and tied for second in specifications. McKenzie Hatch, Kersey, Colo., placed eighth; Jessie Gunning, Tolleson, Ariz., 10th; and McKenna Brinton, Jackson, 11th.

Fourteen universities and 115 contestants participated.

The team placed third while finishing in the top five teams in every division at the Southwestern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest Feb. 1 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ochsner placed second in individual honors and was high individual in beef and pork judging. Cole Foreman, San Jose, Calif., finished first in specifications, and Hansen was sixth in reasons. Lindsey and Beth Lenz, Holyoke, Colo., were 11th and 14th in the alternates contest, respectively. The team posted the fifth-highest reasons score in its history.

Zeb Gray and student John Lacey of Highlands Ranch, Colo., coach the team. Lacey is a senior majoring in animal and veterinary science.