UW Livestock Judging Team Maintains Top

The University of Wyoming livestock judging team finished in the top four at each of its six contests this spring.

“It was a great finish to the season for the team,” says Coach Caleb Boardman, a Department of Animal Science assistant lecturer. “To stay in the top four at every contest shows they are one of the top teams in the country.”

The most recent contests were the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

This year’s team members included: Stephanie Connelly, Tiffaney Connelly and Shanan Davey, all from Bridgeport, Neb.; Logan Despain, Laramie; Alexi Goodnow, Craig, Colo.; Jacob Lacey, Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Zackery Schumaker, Sweet Springs, W.Va.; Rachel Serrell, Castle Rock, Colo.; Shelbie Sperle, Parker, Colo.; Justin Terry, Grants Pass, Ore.; and Alexis Wivell, Smock, Pa.

Laurel Rigby, of Ronan, Mont., was the assistant coach.

The team placed fourth overall among 13 teams and 116 individuals in San Antonio. The team also placed second in hogs, fourth in sheep, fourth in reasons, fifth in cattle and eighth in goats.

Davey placed fifth overall, second in swine, seventh in reasons and 10th in cattle. Stephanie Connelly placed fourth in reasons, fifth in goats and seventh in sheep. Terry placed second in sheep, and Goodnow was third in sheep.

“San Antonio was very high-quality, but a very challenging contest,” Boardman says. “We had some great individual highlights and, as a team, talked better than we ever have in reasons.”

In Houston last week, the team took third overall among 28 universities. The team was first in placings, second in hogs, second in cattle, third in reasons and fifth in sheep/goats. Individually, there were 224 contestants competing.

Davey placed second overall, first in swine, third in placings, fourth in cattle and seventh in reasons.

Stephanie Connelly placed 10th overall and sixth in placings. Tiffaney Connelly was second overall in the alternates division with a score that would have put her in the top 10 overall. Despain placed third in reasons, and Schumaker tied for 10th in reasons.

“UW is quickly becoming one of the premier programs across the country for students who want to competitively livestock judge,” Boardman says.

The UW livestock judging team is hosting a livestock judging camp June 10-12 in Laramie.

For more information, email Boardman at caleb.boardman@uwyo.edu.