A new source of Wildcat pride: The U of A Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team
The University of Arizona Meat Judging Team at the Southwest Invitational competition hosted by Texas Tech University. (l-r) Kaitlyn Dawkins, Joslyn Chorley, Karlee Larzalere, Aislee Drake, and Emilee Bluhm.
The University of Arizona has a new source of pride on campus: its first-ever Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team! After decades without a presence in this prestigious competition, a dedicated group of animal science majors made a remarkable entrance onto the national stage in Spring 2025.
Dr. Duane Wulf, faculty advisor (front), (clockwise from left) Joslyn Chorley, Emilee Bluhm, Aislee Drake, Kaitlyn Dawkins, Megan Sorenson (team coach), and Karlee Larzalere.
“Intercollegiate Meat Judging has existed for 99 years, but 2025 is the first year that the University of Arizona has ever fielded a team,” said team advisor Duane Wulf, professor in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences (ACBS) and director of the Arid Lands Animal Production Center.
Team coach Megan Sorenson, an ACBS graduate student, said that competition offers students the chance to test their skills – and to connect with students from other programs across the country.
“It’s an extraordinary opportunity for students who are looking to expand their knowledge outside of classroom learning,” she said.
The Wildcats kicked off their inaugural season at the highly competitive National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, where they placed fifth in their division. They also secured top finishes in several categories, including Beef Judging (third place), Beef Grading (fourth place), Pork Judging (fourth place), Questions (fourth place) and Placings (fifth place).
The University of Arizona Meat Judging Team at the National Western competition in Denver, Colorado. (l-r) Karlee Larzalere, Kaitlyn Dawkins, Joslyn Chorley, Emilee Bluhm, and Aislee Drake.
They carried their momentum into the Southwestern Invitational Contest at the Fort Worth Stock Show in Texas in February, where they placed fourth overall and achieved Top 5 rankings in Pork Judging, Total Placing, Lamb Judging, Total Questions, Beef Grading and Beef Judging. Their season concluded with the South Plains contest in Hereford, Texas, where they placed in the Top 5 in Pork Judging and Questions.
The journey began with a crucial boost from the American Meat Science Association (AMSA). The U of A also successfully secured a $10,000 Judging Jump Start grant, which was been instrumental in supporting the team’s training, travel and equipment, paving the way for their impressive debut.
The University of Arizona Meat Judging Team are geared up for the Fall 2025 semester, which will include three more contests and culminate in the National Championship in October.
“With only two weeks to go until the first competition this fall, our Wildcats are excited and ready to compete,” Sorenson said.
The Wildcats are poised to continue last semester’s successful run and further establish the University of Arizona as a force to be reckoned with in intercollegiate meat judging.
“I’m very excited for this group of undergraduate Wildcats to bring national recognition to our meat science and ACBS programs,” said Wulf.