Meat Judging Team Wins National Western, Victory Gives Colorado Triple Crown

Colorado Meat Judging Teams captured another honor at the National Western Stock Show 4-H Roundup Contest to add to their growing list of achievements.

The Reserve Champion State 4-H Meat Judging Team, representing Colorado, outscored eight other states from across the country to win another national contest. The victory marks the third time a Colorado meat judging team has won a national event during this season of competition.

"Winning this trifecta is virtually unheard of – even for states like Texas that are much larger and field many more teams," Animal Sciences Professor Keith Belk said. "The students and coaches comprising these three Colorado teams deserve recognition for achieving something virtually impossible."

The trifecta began in early November at the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest in Kansas City, Mo. where the Colorado State Champion 4-H Meat Judging Team secured a win. In the same month, the Colorado State Intercollegiate Team won a national championship at the International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest in Dakota City, Neb. It was the fourth national championship in intercollegiate meat judging for Colorado State.

At the National Western contest, hosted by Colorado State University, the Reserve State Champion 4-H team beat Texas by 55 points with a score of 2,142. The team also earned individual honors. Jordan McHenry finished with top overall individual honors with teammate Natalie Roberts taking third place.

"This reflects an extremely optimistic forecast for the livestock industry in Colorado, and evidence that our state remains capable of producing world-class talent," Belk said.

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