News Release
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Modesto Junior College Takes Home Top Honors in 2026 International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
MADISON, Wis. – Modesto Junior College came out on top as they secured the Overall Team, High Individual, Overall Reasons Team and High Reasons Individual honors at the 36th International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The team consisted of Jacob Ahlem, Daniel Diniz, Breanna Souza and Riley Whisler, and is coached by Nicole Morris. Cobleskill Ag & Tech finished as the second-high team overall. SUNY Morrisville, The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute and Northeast Iowa Community College followed up in the contest, placing third through fifth, respectively.
Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:
Top Five Teams – Overall:
- Modesto Junior College, 2265, Jacob Ahlem, Daniel Diniz, Breanna Souza and Riley Whisler, coached by Nicole Morris
- Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 2227, Hayden Ayers, Natalie Machaud, Cait O’Sullivan and Amelia Somers, coached by Carrie Edsall
- SUNY Morrisville, 2106, Hayley Brenchley, Sara Dreibelbis, Justin Krawczyk and Reilly McCullough, coached by Chelsea Jones
- The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, 2065, Allysa Hamilton, Micah Ackley and Eric Mowrey, coached by Sherri Nuttle
- Northeast Iowa Community College, 1978, Leo Privet, Ariana Menne, Brittany House and Kalli Tveten, coached by Blake Courtney
Top Ten Individuals – Overall:
- Daniel Diniz, Modesto Junior College, 775
- Eric Mowrey, The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, 761
- Jacob Ahlem, Modesto Junior College, 752
- Hayden Ayers, Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 743
- Sara Dreibelbis, SUNY Morrisville, 748
- Cait O’Sullivan, Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 743
- Riley Whisler, Modesto Junior College, 738
- Natalie Machaud, Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 734
- Samantha Heinzman, Kaskaskia, 734
- Breanna Souza, Modesto Junior College, 731
Top Five Teams – Reasons:
- Modesto Junior College, 648, coached by Nicole Morris
- Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 645, coached by Carrie Edsall
- The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, 565, coached by Sherri Nuttle
- SUNY Morrisville, 559, coached by Chelsea Jones
- Northeast Iowa Community College, 521, coached by Blake Courtney
Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:
- Jacob Ahlem, Modesto Junior College, 223
- Breanna Souza, Modesto Junior College, 220
- Eric Mowrey, The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, 218
- Hayden Ayers, Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 218
- Natalie Machaud, Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 218
- Samantha Heinzmann, Kaskaskia, 216
- Bryce Ritter, Michigan State University Ag & Tech, 216
- Daniel Diniz, Modesto Junior College, 214
- Joshuah Michelena, Modesto Junior College, 213
- Riley Whisler, Modesto Junior College, 211
Top Five Teams – Practical Contest:
- Iowa State University, 350
- Modesto Junior College, 328
- Southwest Technical Contest, 318
- Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 315
- Kansas State University, 288
Top Five Teams – Pedigree Contest:
- Iowa State University, 185
- Modesto Junior College, 173
- Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 170
- Southwest Technical College, 168
- Ohio State ATI, 166
Top Five Teams – Corrective Mating:
- Iowa State University, 165
- Modesto Junior College, 155
- Southwest Technical College, 150
- Cobleskill Ag & Tech, 145
- Kansas State University, 135
The National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, STgenetics; Gold Sponsor, Hoard’s Dairyman; Silver Sponsors, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, The Hartford Livestock Department, Randy Geiger Memorial Fund, Saloah Hageman and American Guernsey Association Youth Fund; and additional supporters including ABS Global – St. Jacobs ABC, American Jersey Cattle Association, American Milking Shorthorn Society, Ayars Family Farm, Ayrshire Breeders Association, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, David P. Dickson Trust, Dr. Douglas Waterman, Fight Bac, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Maryland Brown Swiss Association, Judy Majeskie, National Dairy Shrine, Red & White Dairy Cattle Association, Select Sires, Inc., Semex/Boviteq, Trans Ova Genetics and Vita Plus Corporation.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event is taking place in Madison, Wis. September 29 - October 2, 2026. Dairy producers can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.
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Notes to Editors: High-resolution photos are available here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1716yh4bHHBcDhxVEAhy8QHZ5B-cJRvhT?usp=sharing
