MANHATTAN, KS - The Kansas State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team was named the 2026 National Champion at the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in Lubbock, TX, on March 28, 2026.
This marks the eighth national championship title in the last 10 years, building on the tradition of excellence within the program.
The judging event is a three-day multi-division contest where 13 universities competed head-to-head in livestock evaluation, meat evaluation and a communications portion. K-State placed in the top three in each division.
Leading the Wildcats was Anna Webel, who was named High Individual Overall. She excelled in many areas of the contest, earning her the top honor.
“The National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest was a tremendous three-day event for our team. It is a contest that combines livestock and meat judging with a live-animal evaluation day and a team presentation. It was stated time and time again by our coaches, Dr. Payton Dahmer and Dr. Travis O’Quinn, that preparation was the key to success. I am incredibly grateful for their knowledge and leadership as we went into this contest, because most of us have only ever done one part of the three-day event. Being crowned the National Champions at the end of the three days was incredible because we had put in countless hours since January, with one goal in mind: to bring home the trophy,” said Webel.
“On an individual note, I was extremely blessed to receive the High Individual honors, and I know that was only possible because of the belief and support I received from my coaches, 23 teammates, and parents. I thank God every day for the people He surrounded me with at this tremendous institution. I will forever cherish the wins, conversations, and van time with the 25 people that I have had the opportunity to spend the last four months with.”
The team is comprised of students from both the meat judging and the livestock judging teams. They are coached by Dr. Travis O’Quinn and Dr. Payton Dahmer, respectively, and come together to prepare the Meat Animal Evaluation Team for this competition.
“This win was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence that this group of students was willing to put in. It is an exceptional group of students who truly went above and beyond to turn their goals into reality to help secure this victory,” O’Quinn said.
Dahmer added, “This contest is grueling. Months of preparation followed by a three-consecutive-day competition required unmatched dedication and grit from our students. I couldn’t be prouder of their work ethic, dedication to excellence, and the way they represented K-State. I’m excited to see how each of them use this experience to fuel their careers in the animal agriculture industry.”
The 2026 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team includes:
Anna Webel
Bailee Amstutz
Blake Holmes
Brady Hurt
Brooklyn Plumb
Bryce Hoeltzel
Calley Stubbs
Cally Miller
Chase Hummel
Cole Paulek
Dillon Brodsky
Kelli Garrett
Kendall Geist
Maddy Chiarottino
Mason Forkner
Matt Weber
Nissa Olsen
Olivia Nitschke
Owen Kocher
Pryce Romriell
Riley Miller
Stetson Rothlisberger
Sydney Sanders
Travis Oliver
Team Awards:
National Champion Team
High Team – Breeding Division
2nd High Team – Market Division
High Team – Sheep Evaluation
2nd High Team – Cattle
2nd High Team – Swine
3rd High Team – Meats
Individual Awards:
Anna Webel – High Individual Overall
Riley Miller – 2nd High Individual Overall
Brooklyn Plumb – 3rd High Individual Overall
Sydney Sanders – 6th High Individual Overall
Olivia Nitschke – 10th High Individual Overall
The Meat Animal Evaluation Team is a pillar of the long-standing tradition of judging team excellence in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University, providing students with real-world livestock evaluation knowledge, leading to successful careers for its graduates.
If you want to hear more from the national champions, tune in on April 21 to the Voices of #KSUASI podcast and hear team members Riley Miller and Brooklyn Plumb discuss their experience and success with the team.