The Purdue Dairy Judging Team competed in the Western National Collegiate Dairy Judging Contest where the team won several awards on May 14.
The team was awarded 1st Team Overall, 1st Team Reasons, and 1st Team Placings. The individual team members also received several awards. Jackie Mudd earned 2nd Overall Individual, 2nd Placings, and 4th Reasons. 3rd Overall Individual, 2nd Reasons, and 4th Placings was awarded to Evan Coblentz. Alaina Weaver received 4th Overall Individual and 3rd Placings. 1st Reasons was given to Emma Townsend.
From left to right: Emma Townsend, Evan Coblentz, Jackie Mudd, and Alaina Weaver Brian Engleking, who recently completed his second year coaching the team, stated, "I am very proud of the effort that this team put into preparing for this contest. In spite of travel delays, airline cancellations, and a lack of luggage for one night, these four obeyed our first rule, 'Have fun!'"
In Engleking's two years of coaching the Purdue Dairy Judging Team, the team has competed in nine contests. At his first contest after he was hired the team finished in 7th place. Since the first contest, the team has finished in the top five, including winning three times. Brian said one of his highlights as a coach was his first team that competed at the International Intercollegiate contest at the World Dairy Expo. At that contest, the team placed 3rd. That was a great accomplishment for the team as it was the highest finish for Purdue since the 1960s.
In the fall, the team will compete in what Engleking calls the "Big 3." In September, the team competes at the All-American Dairy Show in Pennsylvania. In October, they will compete at the International Contest at the World Dairy Exposition in Madison, Wisconsin. The final contest will be at the North American International Livestock Exposition, which takes place in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Purdue Animal Sciences Department congratulates and wishes the team all the best at its future contests this fall.
I stated that when I was hired that I love kids. I love cows. I especially love kids who love cows. I realize that college students are young adults, not kids, but compared to me, they are kids!
- Brian Engleking
