WT Meat Judging Team Achieves Victory at Cargill High Plains Competition

West Texas A&M University’s Meat Judging Team captured the championship title at the Cargill High Plains Meat Judging Contest in Friona on October 27. The team’s score of 4,212 set a new standard as they prepare for their next competition.

Dr. Loni Lucherk, the team coach, commented, “It is so exciting to see this team victorious as we head into the international contest next month.”

She also noted that many team members had minimal experience before joining WT but now display leadership in university organizations while maintaining an average GPA of 3.68.

The WT team’s success included first place in pork judging and specifications, achieving a perfect score in the latter category.

They also placed second in beef grading and reasons, third in beef judging, fourth in placings, and fifth in lamb judging. Competing against notable universities like Texas A&M, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State, WT stood out with a series of impressive scores.

This victory marks the team’s second major achievement of the season, following their near-record performance at the American Royal Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest earlier in October.

Individual accolades were awarded to several team members. Junior Will Hauerland from Sealy placed second overall, adding another perfect score in pork judging and specifications.

Senior Lane Golla from New Braunfels secured third place overall and won a $1,000 scholarship from the Bellinger Foundation.

Additional members, including Campbell Offield, Daniel Raab, Helene Keiser, Katie Labrum, Clayton Stevenson, and Lily Hooser, achieved perfect scores in various categories.

The team, coached by Lucherk and graduate student Will Boyd, represents WT’s commitment to supporting regional needs as outlined in the university’s WT 125 strategic plan.

This initiative, backed by the university’s One West fundraising campaign, highlights WT’s role in advancing educational excellence in the Texas Panhandle and beyond.

Interested in meat judging competitions and academic achievements? Visit our homepage to explore WT’s role in promoting industry education and skills.