Weeks of training preceded the University of Arkansas livestock judging team's expansive success at the Western National Roundup Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest in early January. An impressive haul of awards was brought home from the team's first-ever contest, which took place in Denver, Colorado.

Awards earned by the University of Arkansas livestock judging team included: 6th Overall Team, 2nd Swine Team, 4th Sheep and Goats Team and 5th Overall Team in the Carload Contest.

Individual team members competed, as well, with several  from Arkansas placing. Anneke Carr earned 4th Overall, 10th in Swine and 4th in Cattle. Katelin Hyman earned 9th Overall, 1st in Swine and 3rd in the Carload Contest. Chelsea Ellington placed 8th in Sheep and Goats.

The team has five more contests in the spring and another five in the fall. "I thought they finished well for their very first contest," said coach Bryan Kutz. "It's encouraging to think about what they'll be able to do with a little more practice under their belts. I'm very excited about what the future holds for this judging team."

The students competed against 29 other senior college teams. "I've been bringing students to this contest since '97," said Kutz. "This is a good team. They started very well."