Texas Tech University’s Livestock Judging Team won first place in the 2007 North American International Livestock Exposition deeming them National Champions.  This is the first since 1985.

The contest, which took place November 12 in Louisville, Kentucky, tested the students’ knowledge of cattle, sheep, and swine as well as their oral reasons.  Teams gathered from across the nation to compete for the title.

"These outstanding students have committed a tremendous amount of time to achieve the ultimate goal by winning this contest," said coach Ryan Rathmann.  “Their work ethic and determination finally persevered.”

Texas Tech boasted four of the top ten individuals and the team claimed 1st place in the cattle and oral reasons divisions, 2nd in sheep, and 3rd overall in swine.  Team members set an all-time record in the oral reasons division by racking up 1881 points.

“It just seems that we have been striving for this for so long and the adversities we have faced along the way just make the victory so much sweeter” said team member Jeff Berry.  “It is an awesome experience”.

"All of these students will cherish this moment forever," Rathmann said.

“We have a program that recruits outstanding students and has training programs capable of taking them to the highest level,” said Department of Animal and Food Sciences Chairman Kevin Pond. “If you take great students and train them appropriately, you can expect them to excel. This adds to the 20 previous National championships our departmental teams have won.”

Three team members were also named to the All-American Livestock Judging Team.  Landi Woolley, Amber Harris, and Matthew Stolz were selected based on their academic record, leadership, and livestock judging success.

Team members include: Jeff Berry, Cheyenne, WY.; Matthew Stolz, Brenham; Jordan Hicks, Hereford; Brett Wheeler, Plant City, FL ; Greg McNeil, Rosharon; Clint Halfmann, Wall; Jonathan Hisey, Rule; Landi Woolley, Grandview; Amber Harris, Pearland; Andrew Hokanson, Dumas; Garrett Holder, Andrews.

The team was coached by Todd Beyers and Rathmann.