Caden Russell (left), Denise Yaws, Addison Bryles, Jacob Ginger, Charity Elliott, Kadie Tidwell, Maeson Crow, Sam Baldino and coach Jade Edwards show off their new hardware from the Southwestern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest.
WILBURTON, Oklahoma – The Eastern Oklahoma State College Meat Judging Team claimed the overall team champion honors at the Southwestern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest, held in conjunction with the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
The contest took place at Columbia Packing in Ennis, Texas, with the awards banquet held at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Competing against strong programs from across the region, Eastern delivered an outstanding team performance, as well as several top individual performances.
As a team, Eastern earned champion overall team honors while also placing first in total beef and first in beef grading. The team added a second-place finish in lamb judging and pork judging, along with third in placings, fourth in questions, and fourth in beef judging.
Individually, Sam Baldino led the way, earning high individual honors. Baldino also placed second in beef grading and total beef, third in placings, fourth in pork judging, and fifth in questions. As the high individual, Baldino also earned a $1,000 Gary C. Smith Scholarship provided by the Bellinger Family Foundation. Charity Elliott finished as the third high individual, with top-three finishes in questions, pork judging, beef grading, and total beef. Caden Russell placed 10th high individual and earned fifth in lamb judging.
Eastern’s depth was showcased with Kylie Oliver named high alternate, followed by Jacob Ginger as second high alternate and Denise Yaws finishing as eighth high alternate.
“The team got off to a good but slow start, and the students decided that good wasn’t enough,” said head coach Jade Edwards. “They set their goals to win and worked hard to get here. I am very proud of all of them and look forward to the rest of the season.”
Team members include Caden Russell of Coalgate, Oklahoma; Denise Yaws of McCurtain, Oklahoma; Addison Bryles of Beebe, Arkansas; Jacob Ginger of Perry, Georgia; Charity Elliott of Broken Bow, Oklahoma; Kadie Tidwell of Eufaula, Oklahoma; Maeson Crow of Coalgate, Oklahoma; and Sam Baldino of Elko, Georgia.
The win continues Eastern’s strong tradition of excellence in meat judging and sets the tone for the remainder of the competitive season.
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