Light Rain and Fog/Mist, 39° F
The South Dakota State University Livestock Judging Team — which included Bronson Smith of Powell — was named the reserve national champion team at the National Collegiate Livestock …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
The Powell Tribune has expanded its online content. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free web account by clicking here.
If you already have a web account, but need to reset it, you can do so by clicking here.
If you would like to purchase a subscription click here.
Please log in to continue |
|
The South Dakota State University Livestock Judging Team — which included Bronson Smith of Powell — was named the reserve national champion team at the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest last month. It’s the highest SDSU has placed at the national contest since 1996.
“Being crowned the reserve national champions caps off a great season for one of the most talented teams I have had the pleasure to coach,” said Brady Jensen, SDSU Livestock Judging Team coach. “Not only will they go down in the history books at SDSU as one of the great livestock judging teams, but I think in 20-30 years, we will all look back and realize how special this team was after they have accomplished all their life goals.”
In addition to being named reserve national champions, the team placed third in cattle, fourth in swine and fifth in sheep, performance cattle and reasons.
The event was held at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 15.
The 2021 team members included Smith, a 2018 Powell High School graduate who’s studying animal science at SDSU. Smith also took sixth place individually in swine. His performance capped a season in which he also won the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, becoming the first person in school history to take the contest.
“On behalf of the Department of Animal Science, I want to congratulate the members of the SDSU Livestock Judging Team on completing the season as reserve national champions,” said Joe Cassady, head of SDSU’s Department of Animal Science. “Members of the team, under the guidance of coach Brady Jensen, worked very hard to earn this recognition. I am especially proud of the way our team represented the Department of Animal Science and South Dakota State University.”
The team competed in 12 different contests throughout the year, placing in the top five at nearly every contest.
“To be excellent at livestock judging, you have to be a quick decision maker, incredible public speaker, excellent time manager and in total control of your emotions in high pressure situations,” said Jensen. “What set the 2021 team among the elite was their undeniable ability to be true stockmen and stockwomen.”
The 2022 team will kick off its judging season in January at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. SDSU is located in Brookings, South Dakota.
