U of I team wins national championship

[DEC. 22, 2005]  URBANA -- A University of Illinois team that includes Abby Sasse from Beason has brought home a national championship. The student meats judging team was named national champion after winning the International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest last month in Dakota City, Neb.

"The team posted 4,150 points out of a possible 4,600," said Tom Carr, U of I Extension meats specialist who coaches the team along with Department of Animal Sciences colleague Georgia Litman. "Sixty contestants representing 15 universities from throughout the United States participated in this contest, which was the final one of 2005.

"The U of I meats judging team has won national championships in 1975, 1978 and 1982. The U of I's meat animal evaluation team has won numerous national titles over the past 40 years."

Three members of this year's U of I team -- Christie Rosentreter of Carlinville, Abby Sasse of Beason and Caleb Shull of Newton -- finished in the top 10 during the national contest. Rosentreter was second, Sasse seventh and Shull ninth.

The team won two divisions, ranking first in lamb judging and reasons. Brooke McClure of Newton was the high individual in lamb judging. The team placed second in beef grading and pork judging, fourth in specifications, and fifth in placings.

Chad Pilcher of Paxton placed second overall in the alternates division. Abbie Lashbrook of Marshall is also an alternate on the team.

[University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences news release]