MECHANICSBURG – The Mechanicsburg FFA had 2 judging teams compete at the national finals last week in Indianapolis. Both teams earned the right to go to the finals by winning the state competition in April.
The Meats team, comprised of Taylor Ayars, Colin Hartley and Elly Schipfer, finished 3rd in the nation. All 3 team members received a gold rating. Taylor Ayars was the 4th overall individual and Colin Hartley was 8th. The finals for the meats contest was held at Purdue University. A total of 41 states competed in this years’ contest.
The Meats team has completed the most successful year for Ohio meat judging teams. The 3rd overall placing is the highest Ohio has ever placed at the National Finals. The team also competed at the National Western Roundup in Denver this past January and placed 3rd there as well.
The Meats team is coached by Dr. Bill Ayars.
The Livestock judging team finished 11th in the Nation out of the 44 states that competed. Ohio was 1 of 13 states to receive a gold rating. The team consists of Jennifer Wallace, Grace Forrest, Morgan Hamby and Noah Wolf. The trio of Wallace, Forrest and Hamby all received gold ratings while Wolf was awarded a silver rating.
The contest was held at the Indiana State fairgrounds where students judged various classes of livestock and gave 4 sets of reasons. Team activities were also a part of the contest as well as Keep/Cull classes and a written exam.
Wallace was the 29th overall individual, Forrest 35th and Hamby 52nd.
The Livestock team is coached by FFA Advisor Kevin Neer.
