Sam Hodges, Kline Jones, Erika Victor, Micki Gooch, Cassie Peña, Madalynn Kainer, Katy Jo Nickelson, Mitch Rando, Brandon Burge, Connor King, and Brandon Cronin

The 2015 Texas A&M University Meat Judging Team recently returned from the 2015 Eastern National Meat Judging Contest held in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, hosted by Cargill Meat Solutions. The team, consisting of Brandon Burge, Keller; Brandon Cronin, Shepard; Micki Gooch, Celina; Sam Hodges, Elysian Fields; Kline Jones, Dublin; Madalynn Kainer, Victoria; Connor King, Waller; Katy Jo Nickelson, Ft. Worth; Cassie Peña, Weslaco; Mitch Rando, Sugar Land; and Erika Victor, Ft. Worth, and coached by Dr. Leslie Frenzel and Drew Cassens, placed third overall. Brandon Burge placed third individually and Katy Jo Nickelson placed sixth individually. The team also placed first in Pork Judging. In the alternate division, Kline Jones placed 8th overall.

The team also had the opportunity to visit Philadelphia and New York City. In Philadelphia, the team visited Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, the Eastern State Penitentiary, the steps made famous in the movie, “Rocky” and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. While in New York City, the team visited the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square, 5^th Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The team had a wonderful time visiting these places and learning more about the history and significance of these locations.

Meat judging team and Liberty Bell

Meat judging team and Philadelphia Fire Department

Touring around

Meat judging team at Independence Hall

The 2015 Texas A&M Meat Judging Team’s next contest will be at the American Royal in Omaha, Nebraska, on October 18, 2015.