News Release

Sunday, October 1, 2023

University of Minnesota Tops National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

MADISON, WIS. – University of Minnesota finished first among 19 schools in the 102^nd National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at World Dairy Expo^®. The team finished with a score of 2,545 and added to their achievements by also being the high team for reasons. The team included Ben Styer, Isaac Rott, Kelsey Biel, and Haley Buekema and were coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Houdek. Ben Styer and Isaac Rott also placed first and third overall as individuals, respectively. Finishing second and third overall were Cornell University and Virginia Tech, respectively. Other teams finishing in the top five include Iowa State University and University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:

Top Ten Teams – Overall:

1. University of Minnesota, 2,545, team members: Kelsey Biel, Isaac Rott, Ben Styer, and Haley Beukema coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Houdek
2. Cornell University, 2,492, team members: Rachel Van Buren, Adam King, Sophie Woodis, and Jade Atherton coached by Kevin Ziemba
3. Virginia Tech, 2,488, team members: Atley Miller, Gabriella Rockwell, Salem Sifford, and Erin Armitage coached by Katharine Knowlton and Jaiden Cain
4. Iowa State University, 2,456, team members: Colton Silveira, Delana Erbsen, Madi Palmer, and Torri Burch coached by Christen Burgett and Mary Fliehler
5. University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 2,449, team members: Mason Kruse, Quincee Johnson, Lila Sloan, and Luke Trustem coached by Cory Weigel
6. Michigan State University, 2,429, team members: Brianna Hill, Adalee Thelen, Rachael Bosse, and Drew Neyer coached by Dr. Joe Domecq, Sarah Black, and Kirby Krogstad
7. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2,427, team members: Elise Bleck, Gracie Krahn, and Emma Vos coached by Brian Kelroy and Trent Olson
8. University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 2,403, team members: Joseph Schuh, Matthew Fischer, Amanda Stone, and Jack Saemrow coached by Mary Holle
9. Penn State University, 2,395, team members: Madison Benfer, Colton Lusk, Abigail Stoltzfus, and David Schultheis coached by Dale Olver
10. South Dakota State University, 2,392, team members: Owen Scheffler, Ashley Holst, Margaret Molitor, and Morgan Wingret coached by Turner Swartz

Top Ten Individuals:

1. Ben Styer, 871, University of Minnesota
2. Salem Sifford, 860, Virginia Tech
3. Isaac Rott, 859, University of Minnesota
4. Elise Bleck, 855, University of Wisconsin-Madison
5. Colton Silveira, 854, Iowa State University
6. Delana Erbsen, 847, Iowa State University
7. Adam King, 842, Cornell University
8. Gracie Krahn, 832, University of Wisconsin-Madison
9. Owen Scheffler, 831, South Dakota State University
10. Sophie Woodis, 829, Cornell University

Top Ten Teams – Reasons:

1. University of Minnesota, 847, team members: Kelsey Biel, Isaac Rott, Ben Styer, and Haley Beukema coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Houdek
2. Virginia Tech, 828, team members: Atley Miller, Gabriella Rockwell, Salem Sifford, and Erin Armitage coached by Katharine Knowlton and Jaiden Cain
3. Michigan State University, 821, team members: Brianna Hill, Adalee Thelen, Rachael Bosse, and Drew Neyer coached by Dr. Joe Domecq, Sarah Black, and Kirby Krogstad
4. Cornell University, 812, team members: Rachel Van Buren, Adam King, Sophie Woodis, and Jade Atherton coached by Kevin Ziemba
5. University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 794, team members: Mason Kruse, Quincee Johnson, Lila Sloan, and Luke Trustem coached by Cory Weigel
6. Iowa State University, 789, team members: Colton Silveira, Delana Erbsen, Madi Palmer, and Torri Burch coached by Christen Burgett and Mary Fliehler
7. Kansas State University, 788, team members: Ellie Vincent, Sarah Jordan, Alicia Bohren, and William De Boer coached by Kelsey Pasch and Billy Brown
8. University of Kentucky, 783, team members: Kelly Baird, Casey Montgomery, and Brittany Trent coached by Larissa Tucker
9. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 782, team members: Elise Bleck, Gracie Krahn, and Emma Vos coached by Brian Kelroy and Trent Olson
10. University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 780, team members: Joseph Schuh, Matthew Fischer, Amanda Stone, and Jack Saemrow coached by Mary Holle

Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:

1. Ben Styer, 291, University of Minnesota
2. Elise Bleck, 286, University of Wisconsin-Madison
3. Salem Sifford, 283, Virginia Tech
4. Isaac Rott, 281, University of Minnesota
5. Gabriella Rockwell, 281, Virginia Tech
6. Adam King, 277, Cornell University
7. Rachael Bosse, 277, Michigan State University
8. Kelly Baird, 276, University of Kentucky
9. Adalee Thelen, 276, Michigan State University
10. Rachel Van Buren, 275, Cornell University

The National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, Channel Seed; Silver Sponsor, 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.

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The global dairy industry will return to Madison, Wis. for the 56^th event, October 1-6, 2023, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Spotify, Instagram or YouTube for more information.

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