WT Wool Judging Team Shears the Competition at Two Recent Contests

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

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University's wool judging team scored big at two recent competitions to kick off its 2026 season.

WT squads placed first and second overall at the 7220 Collegiate Wool Contest in Laramie, Wyoming, then placed third and fifth overall at the National Western Stock Show Wool Contest in Denver.

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 the team's hard work and dedication in representing WT at the highest level at both of these contests. Speaking personally, winning the 7220 contest means a great deal as the team's new coach," said Bailey Lamb, a graduate student in animal science from Huntsville. "I experienced both an individual and team win there as a student, and seeing our team do the same this year was nostalgic and a fantastic way to start the season."

At the 7220 contest, held Jan. 13, the WT Maroon squad placed first overall, first in grading, third in placings, fifth in live evaluation and sixth in reasons. The WT White squad took second overall and placed third in grading, first in placings and seventh in reasons.

In individual rankings, Emma Amato, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Hoehne, Colorado, placed first overall, first in grading and third in placing. Zane Crouch, a freshman agribusiness and economics and animal science major from Midland, placed second overall, second in placing and fifth in grading. Dericka Vaughn, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Abilene, placed fifth overall and fourth in grading. Calob Walker, a freshman animal science major from McGregor, placed sixth overall and sixth in grading. Stone Beach, a freshman animal science major from Shallowater, placed eighth overall and eight in grading.

Also placing were Bailee Burnett, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Iowa Park, ninth in placings; Emma Clater, a freshman agricultural education major from Whitesboro, 10th in placings; Hannah Wages, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Center, fourth in live evaluation; and Mack Kimball, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Aledo, ninth in live evaluation.

Also competing were Seltz Kimball, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Aledo; Bethany Blackwell, a freshman agricultural education major from Iowa Park: Kathryn Tompkins, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Brookshire; and Maegan Toles, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Brock.

At the National Western Stock Show, held Jan. 15, Amato also placed first overall, second in grading, second in placings and third in reasons. Mack Kimball placed seventh overall, ninth in grading and first in placings. Also placing were Walker, sixth in in placings; Vaughn, eighth in placings; and Couch, seventh in grading.

In the alternates contest, which allows students not on the two four-person squads to compete, Seltz Kimball placed third overall, Burnett fourth, Blackwell fifth and Wages 10th.

In hand spinning, Seltz Kimball was sixth, Blackwell seventh, Mack Kimball eighth and Walker 11th. In value determination, Couch was first; Mack Kimball second; Addison Criner, a freshman animal science major from Porter, Oklahoma, sixth; Seltz Kimball eighth; and Blackwell ninth.

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 Feb. 6 at the Black Hills, South Dakota, Wool Judging Contest.

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.

Top photo: The West Texas A&M University Wool Judging team recently ranked highly at two competitions, including the National Western Stock Show, held Jan. 15. Team members are, front from left, Addison Criner, Zane Couch, Emma Amato and Mack Kimball; middle from left, Kathryn Tompkins, Bailee Burnett, Maegan Toles, Emma Clater, Dericka Vaughn, Hannah Wages and Coach Bailey Lamb; and, back from left, Bethany Blackwell, Stone Beach, Calob Walker, Seltz Kimball and Dr. Loni Lucherk.

-WT-