The University of Arkansas livestock judging team was named the Champion Team Overall at the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo on Feb. 14. The student team is part of the Department of Animal Science in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science.

Members of the judging team are: Blaine French; Emily Hasenauer; Morgan Marley; Kolton Moore; Jacie Sweeney; and Trenton Tosh.

In the Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest, contestants from across the nation judged 12 classes of cattle and gave eight sets of oral reasons defending their placings. The classes included: Brahman, Continental, steer and English among others.

In a field of 13 senior college teams; the team placed first in all but one division, and placed second in the English division. "I am extremely proud of the team," Coach Bryan Kutz said. "It's nice when all the team members come together and place consistently with each other. That's when they see their full potential."

Hasenauer led the team, winning high individual overall. She was also first in steers, fourth in English, fifth in continental, and tenth in reasons. Sweeney was second in reasons, second in Brahman, third in continental, third in steers, and fourth overall. French was third in Brahman, seventh in reasons, and seventh overall. Marley was second in English.

According to the association's website, this year marked the 50th annual Dixie Livestock Show and Rodeo. The show is the site of the largest junior market livestock show in Mississippi and is the largest professional rodeo east of the Mississippi River. It runs for 24 days at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and sees thousands of people in attendance.