Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - The West Texas A&M University Wool Judging team once again snipped the competition and took home several trophies at recent contests.

WT placed fifth overall, first and third in placings and fourth in grading at the San Antonio Stock Show, held Feb. 14. WT squads also placed first and third overall Feb. 6 at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Several students also earned top 10 individual rankings at both contests, in which students demonstrate the art of evaluating wool to industry standards.

"I am proud of how the students continue to represent WT at the highest level," said coach Bailey Lamb, a graduate student in animal science from Huntsville. "Their hard work and dedication to becoming the best wool evaluators possible is evident every day."

In San Antonio, Emma Amato, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Hoehne, Colorado, placed 10th overall and fourth in placings; Calob Walker, a freshman animal science major from McGregor, placed fifth in placings; and Addison Criner, a freshman animal science major from Porter, Oklahoma, placed eight in placings.

The team also included Stone Beach, a freshman animal science major from Shallowater; Dericka Vaughn, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Abilene; Zane Crouch, a freshman agribusiness and economics and animal science major from Midland; Emma Clater, a freshman agricultural education major from Whitesboro; Mack Kimball, a freshman animal science major from Aledo; Seltz Kimball, a freshman animal science major from Aledo; Maegan Toles, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Brock; and Kathryn Tompkins, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Brookshire.

In Rapid City, the WT White squad placed first overall, first in placings, first in reasons and third in rail. Squad members were Amato, Beach, Walker and Vaughn.

The WT Maroon squad placed third overall, second in rail and third in reasons. Squad members were Criner, Crouch and Seltz Kimball.

Individually, Walker was second overall, first in placings and first in reasons; Clater was fourth overall and first in rail; Beach was fifth overall, second in placings and third in reasons; Seltz Kimball was sixth overall and fourth in placings; Vaughn was fourth in rail; and Criner was second in reasons.

Also competing were Toles and Tompkins.

Competitors evaluate 20 fleeces for spinning count, staple length, yield, character and purity. They also evaluate six breeding and commercial classes to find the highest-quality wool for producers.

The team next will compete at the national championship March 16 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

WT's wool judging team is one of the ways the University is responsive to regional needs, as set out in the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World .

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: The West Texas A&M University Wool Judging Team placed first and third overall at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, South Dakota. Members are, from left, Seltz Kimball, Kathryn Tompkins, Addison Criner, Emma Clater, Dericka Vaughn, Stone Beach, Emma Amato, Maegan Toles, Calob Walker and Zane Couch.

-WT-