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Success has carried over from one year to the next for the Ģ����ý Livestock Judging program. Last year’s team had a successful run, and this year’s team is continuing that momentum as members move through their competition schedule.

Small but mighty

The 2025 SDSU Livestock Judging Team was a small group that made a big impact. Team members included Haley Mouser of Tenstrike, Minnesota; Haley Dodge of Terril, Iowa; Jack Link of Knoxville, Illinois; Brett Roberts of Mineral Point, Wisconsin; and Drew Stock of Waukon, Iowa.

For this group of five seniors, the goal was simple: Keep SDSU on the map.

And they did.

As a team, the Jackrabbits earned Top 10 finishes at two of the four national contests, including sixth overall at the National Western Stock Show and seventh at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The team earned additional accolades at various local and regional contests.

For livestock judging coach Tommy Norman, the results mattered, but the process mattered more.

“I could not be more proud of them for sticking together to accomplish what they started,” he said. “It speaks volumes … to be challenged with difficult times, tasks and commitments and to still maintain professionalism and a positive atmosphere in a joint agenda.”

Among the many individual successes across the team, Mouser put together an especially impressive season. A few of her highlights included eighth overall at the National Western Stock Show; 10th overall at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; second overall at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic; and first overall at the Flint Hills/Mid-American Classic.

Mouser graduated in 2024 from Butler Community College, where she was a member of the livestock judging team. When she came to SDSU to continue her livestock judging career, she got involved in several clubs and organizations and even conducted undergraduate research. But despite everything she was part of, nothing compared to her experience on the Livestock Judging Team.

“Livestock judging was the highlight of my experiential learning opportunities at SDSU,” Mouser said. “The skills I developed during my time on the team will stretch far beyond the livestock industry, especially the confidence I now have in making a timely decision and being able to stand behind it.”

Mouser graduated in May with her bachelor’s degree in animal science and will continue at SDSU in the accelerated human nutrition and dietetics master’s program this fall.

A new year, a new team

As the senior‑led team closed out its year, a new and much larger group of students stepped in.

Team members include Raesa Zelinsky of Brookings; Drew Pederson of Garretson; Peyton Munroe of Encampment, Wyoming; Jaydee Bremer of Ocheyedan, Iowa; Karli Buggs of Sarcoxie, Missouri; Emma Heiden of Rushford, Minnesota; Lilly Langer of Ellsworth, Wisconsin; Allison Wallace of Harris, Iowa; TJ Harris of Plankinton; Reid Huth of Kingsley, Iowa; Raina Johnson of Harrisburg; and Lilli Steeke of Rhame, North Dakota.

Experience levels varied across the group of students, which is common in collegiate livestock judging. Some had two years of judging experience at a junior college, while others were preparing for their first-ever senior collegiate contest.

Munroe, a transfer student from Northeastern Junior College, described the experience as both new and familiar.

“Coming from a junior college, I knew what to expect, but I also didn’t,” Munroe said.

As the season went on, Munroe and her teammates gradually settled into their rhythm and gained momentum, carrying them into the last, and arguably most important, contest of the spring semester: Houston.

“This contest is always critical,” Norman said. “A good contest means a good taste in the students’ mouths as they carry on throughout their summer internships. … A bad contest does the opposite.”

In addition to the added pressure, Houston brought the unfamiliar challenge of evaluating Brahman and slick-shorn cattle not common in the Upper Midwest.

Despite all of that, the Jackrabbits rose to the occasion.

At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the team finished ninth overall and placed two individuals in the Top 10, which was a major feat.

Individually, senior animal science students Pederson and Zelinsky led the team.

Pederson was sixth overall, placing fourth in cattle and first in placings.

Zelinsky was ninth overall, placing eighth in sheep and goats and fourth in placings.

A moment of reflection

After returning from Houston, the team members had time to reflect on the spring semester and their first few contests competing together.

“We had ups and downs, but we kept improving by trusting each other and learning from our mistakes,” Pederson said. “By the time Houston came around, we were competing with confidence and consistency, and I think that showed in both the individual and team results.”

That sense of camaraderie came up again and again, with Pederson and Zelinsky noting it’s what sets this team apart from others they’ve been on.

“I’ve been fortunate to be on a lot of great teams, but this group stood out because of how hard everyone worked and how much trust we built by the end of the semester,” Pederson said. “Obviously, contests like Houston are unforgettable, but what makes those moments special is being able to share them with your teammates and coaches.”

Zelinsky echoed that sentiment.

“I don’t think there is one word to describe what this season has meant to me, but I know it has filled my cup,” she said. “The memories with my teammates and the friendships I’ve built will always mean more than any award I may receive.”

From Norman’s perspective, that team culture aspect of livestock judging is what puts the biggest smile on his face.

“Don’t be fooled — I’m as competitive as ever and have incredibly high hopes for my students,” Norman said. “But knowing I can push them and trust that their foundation of friendship will keep them glued together. … That’s a rarity, and it’s something I’m a big fan of.”

Looking ahead

The team will return to competition this fall, where members look to pick up where they left off.

Until then, Norman and members of the team will host two youth livestock judging camps, June 3-5 and June 7-9. The camps will focus on live evaluation of the major livestock species, along with the development and delivery of oral reasons. Youth ages 11 to 18 are encouraged to attend, regardless of experience level.

For more information or to register, visit the SDSU Youth Livestock Judging Camp website.

To learn more about other judging teams and how to get involved, visit the Judging Teams – Animal Science website.