Virginia Tech Tops National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

Virginia Tech finished first among fifteen schools in the 101^st National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at World Dairy Expo^®. The Virginia Tech team, who finished with a score of 2,479, placed first for reasons, second in placings, and had the second and fourth overall individuals, Madison Sifford with a score of 838 and Jenna Marston with a score of 835, respectively. In addition to these two judges, the team included Brooke Noel and Jaiden Cain and was coached by Katharine Knowlton and Joseph Real. Finishing second and third overall were California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Purdue University, respectively. Other teams finishing in the top five include The Pennsylvania State University and Cornell University.

Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:

Top Ten Teams – Overall:

1. Virginia Tech, 2,479, team members: Jaiden Cain, Jenna Marston, Brooke Noel and Madison Sifford, coached by Katharine Knowlton and Joseph Real
2. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 2,443, team members: Katey Diniz, Marcus Marsigli and Ashley Waymire, coached by Morgan Wonderly and Matthew Ruby
3. Purdue University, 2,430, team members: Josie Burbrink, Miriam Cook, Ryland Nierman and Breezy Slonaker, coached by Brian Engleking
4. The Pennsylvania State University, 2,429, team members: Katerina Coffman, Kendal Jenkins, Paige Peiffer and Ashton Stiles, coached by Dale Olver
5. Cornell University, 2,426, team members: Lydia Chittenden, Isabel Hall, Blake Wadsworth and Abigail Wratten, coached by Kevin Ziemba
6. University of Minnesota, 2,421, team members: Jay Dicke, Matthew Gunst, Awna Hirsch and Kendra Waldenberger, coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Eric Houdek and Gabriella Houdek
7. Michigan State University, 2,414, team members: Mikayla Bowen, Jessie Nash, Kelsey Pasch and Katie Wilson, coached by Sarah Black, Kirby Krogstad and Joe Domecq
8. University of Illinois, 2,398, team members: Payton Erbsen, Sydney Friedman, Lane Heinzmann and Carli Hoffman, coached by Derek Nolan
9. Iowa State University, 2,393, team members: Amber Engelken, Mason Jauquet, Faith Scott and Carly Strauss, coached by Mary Fliehler and Christen Burgett
10. The Ohio State University, 2,369, team members: Austin Borchers, Grant DeBruin and Sarah Quallen, coached by Bonnie Ayars

Top Ten Individuals:

1. Jessie Nash, 840, Michigan State University
2. Madison Sifford, 838, Virginia Tech
3. Marcus Marsigli, 836, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
4. Jenna Marston, 835, Virginia Tech
5. Nathan Daniels, 831, University of Wisconsin-Madison
6. Kendal Jenkins, 828, The Pennsylvania State University
7. Ashley Waymire, 821, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
8. Isabel Hall, 820, Cornell University
9. Mason Jauquet, 820, Iowa State University
10. Josie Burbrink, 819, Purdue University

Top Ten Teams – Reasons:

1. Virginia Tech, 837, coached by Katharine Knowlton and Joseph Real
2. Cornell University, 818, coached by Kevin Ziemba
3. University of Minnesota, 814, coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Eric Houdek and Gabriella Houdek
4. The Ohio State University, 811, coached by Bonnie Ayars
5. The Pennsylvania State University, 807, coached by Dale Olver
6. Purdue University, 804, coached by Brian Engleking
7. Michigan State University, 804, coached by Sarah Black, Kirby Krogstad and Joe Domecq
8. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 792, coached by Morgan Wonderly and Matthew Ruby
9. Iowa State University, 791, coached by Mary Fliehler and Christen Burgett
10. University of Illinois, 789, coached by Derek Nolan

Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:

1. Jenna Marston, 281, Virginia Tech
2. Paige Peiffer, 281, The Pennsylvania State University
3. Isabel Hall, 280, Cornell University
4. Sarah Quallen, 280, The Ohio State University
5. Brooke Noel, 279, Virginia Tech
6. Madison Sifford, 277, Virginia Tech
7. Ashley Waymire, 277, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
8. Mason Jauquet, 277, Iowa State University
9. Katerina Coffman, 277, The Pennsylvania State University
10. Miriam Cook, 275, Purdue University

The National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, Channel Seed; Gold Level Sponsor, Stgenetics; Silver Sponsors, Bio-Vet, Inc.; and additional supporters including: Hoard’s Dairyman, International Protein Sires, Select Sires, Inc., St. Jacobs ABC, STgenetics, Trans Ova Genetics and Vita Plus Corporation.