New WT Wool Judging Team Takes Home First Championship

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

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University's new wool judging team has won its first national championship in only its second-ever competition.

The team, in which students demonstrate the art of evaluating wool to industry standards, took home first place at the National Western Meat Judging contest Jan. 16 at JBS Foods in Greeley, Colorado, winning by 17 points over its nearest competitor, Texas Tech University.

"I am extremely proud of this group of students and the hard work and dedication they put into becoming the best wool evaluators they can be while also making history for WT wool judging in our first year as a team," said coach Bailey Lamb, a graduate student in animal science from Huntsville.

The team also earned first-place showings in grading and placings.

A second WT squad placed fifth.

Lainie Reiter, a freshman animal science major from Lindsay, was the top individual competitor and placed first in grading rail, fourth in placing and 10th in hand spinning.

Kimber Preece, a freshman animal science major from Converse, placed third individually, third in grading rail and fifth in placing.

Also ranking highly were Amy Scriffiny, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Olathe, Colorado, seventh individually, third in placing and fourth in reasons; Maddie Schickedanz, a freshman animal science major from Perryton, fourth in the alternate division and second in value class; Levi Gates, a freshman agriculture major from Clarendon, fourth in value class and sixth in the alternate division; Matthew Hemmer, a freshman animal science major from Rockwall, fifth in the alternate division; Keni Drennan, a freshman animal science major from Ballinger, eighth in the alternate division; Avel Zermeño, a freshman animal science major from Idalou, second in grading rail; and Mila Thompson, a freshman animal science major from Stratford, ninth in hand spinning.

Also competing were Cayden Beatty, a freshman animal science major from Burnet; Addysen Folmar, a freshman agricultural media and communication major from Artesia, New Mexico; Cayden Hodnett, a freshman agricultural education major from Lubbock; Kade Lawrence, a freshman animal science major from Canyon; Audrey Rangel, a senior animal science major from Lyford; Kenzie Rodriguez, a freshman animal science major from Water Valley; and Emma Stevenson, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Earth.

Competitors evaluate 15 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 placed third at the 7220 Wool Judging Invitational on Jan. 14 in Laramie, Wyoming. The team will next compete Feb. 8 in San Antonio and March 17 in Houston.

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's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research 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, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, 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. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's new Wool Judging team won its first championship Jan. 16 at the National Western Meat Judging Contest in Greeley, Colorado. Pictured are, front from left, Coach Bailey Lamb, Kimber Preece, Lainie Reiter, Addysen Folmar, Amy Scriffiny, Mila Thompson, Kade Lawrence, Kenzie Rodriguez, Audrey Rangel and Keni Drennan and, back from left, Avel Zermeño, Matthew Hemmer, Levi Gates, Emma Stevenson, Cayden Hodnett, Cayden Beatty and Maddie Schickedanz.

-WT-

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