The Gophers’ dynasty rolls on. Their top individual won by the smallest margin possible.
Minnesota won the 105th National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo on Saturday. That makes four national titles in a row for the Gophers.
Minnesota finished first among 18 schools with 2,496 points, 41 ahead of Iowa State. The Gophers also won team reasons, so this one wasn’t close.
Minnesota’s Jacob Harbaugh with the Gene Meyer Award for high individual. He finished with 843 points, one ahead of Penn State’s Ainsley Sellers.
Jacob Harbaugh, Rachel Visser, Evan Hathaway and Tyler Ratka judged the winning team. They were coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Dr. Isaac Haagen, Eric Houdek and Gabriella Houdek. Minnesota put three people in the top 10 individuals: Harbaugh was first, Visser fourth and Hathaway ninth.
Harbaugh also won the Dr. Dave Dickson Memorial Award for high individual in reasons with 285. Teammate Rachel Visser was second at 282.
Harbaugh won high individual with 843 points, one ahead of Penn State’s Ainsley Sellers at 842. Iowa State’s Joseph Achen was third with 838.
Harbaugh also won individual reasons with 285, and Visser was right behind at 282. That gave Minnesota the top two spots in reasons.
Iowa State was second overall with 2,455, and Ohio State third with 2,449. Penn State (2,435) and UW–River Falls (2,429) rounded out the top five.
Top 10 teams overall
| Place | School | Score | Team members | Coach(es) |
| 1 | University of Minnesota | 2,496 | Jacob Harbaugh, Rachel Visser, Evan Hathaway, Tyler Ratka | Dr. Les Hansen, Dr. Isaac Haagen, Eric Houdek, Gabriella Houdek |
| 2 | Iowa State University | 2,455 | Joseph Achen, Anders Lovstuen, Haley Ronnebaum, Jon Chapman | Christen Burgett, Mary Fliehler |
| 3 | The Ohio State University | 2,449 | Olivia Finke, Zach Johnson, Lauryn Young, Libby Sutton | Bonnie Ayars, Sarah Thomas |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University | 2,435 | Ainsley Sellers, Sara Reed, Madison Mowrer, Abigale Bricker | Dale Olver |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin–River Falls | 2,429 | Phia Kamm, Natalie Clemenson, Sophie Stelling, Jacy Saemrow | Mary Holle, Steven Kelm |
| 6 | Purdue University | 2,419 | Seth Ariens, Caroline Egolf, Amelia Stone, Rhea Miller | Brian Engleking |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | 2,408 | Garrett Ulness, Brianna Meyer, Brooklyn Schwoerer, Kelsey Hardy | Brian Kelroy, Danielle Brown |
| 8 | Cornell University | 2,402 | Abbie Ainslie, Lincoln Michaud, Lauren King, Allison Gabel | Kevin Ziemba, Bryce Windecker |
| 9 | University of Florida | 2,392 | Jenna Larson, Johanna Heijkoop, Lilly Larson | Colleen Larson, Travis Larson |
| 10 | Virginia Tech | 2,382 | Ayla Janney, Julie Odom, Savannah Rice, Erika Hildebrand | Dr. Katharine Knowlton |
Top 10 individuals overall
- Jacob Harbaugh, University of Minnesota, 843
- Ainsley Sellers, Pennsylvania State University, 842
- Joseph Achen, Iowa State University, 838
- Rachel Visser, University of Minnesota, 829
- Lauryn Young, The Ohio State University, 828
- Lauren King, Cornell University, 827
- Julia Searls, Kansas State University, 825
- Amelia Stone, Purdue University, 825
- Evan Hathaway, University of Minnesota, 824
- Phia Kamm, University of Wisconsin–River Falls, 824
Top 10 teams in reasons
- University of Minnesota, 841
- Iowa State University, 826
- Purdue University, 812
- University of Wisconsin–Madison, 805
- University of Florida, 803
- The Ohio State University, 802
- Cornell University, 801
- Pennsylvania State University, 799
- University of Wisconsin–River Falls, 792
- Virginia Tech, 789
Top 10 individuals in reasons
- Jacob Harbaugh, University of Minnesota, 285
- Rachel Visser, University of Minnesota, 282
- Joseph Achen, Iowa State University, 281
- Brianna Meyer, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 281
- Anders Lovstuen, Iowa State University, 280
- Abbie Ainslie, Cornell University, 279
- Jenna Larson, University of Florida, 279
- Julia Searls, Kansas State University, 276
- Clancey Krahn, Oklahoma State University, 275
- Amelia Stone, Purdue University, 274
The contest is supported by Platinum Sponsor STgenetics and Gold Sponsor Hoard’s Dairyman. Silver Sponsors are FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, The Hartford Livestock Department, the Randy Geiger Memorial Fund, Saloah Hageman and the American Guernsey Association Youth Fund.
Additional supporters are the American Jersey Cattle Association, Ayars Family Farm, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, David P. Dickson Trust, Dr. Douglas Waterman, Fight Bac, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Maryland Brown Swiss Association, Judy Majeskie, National Dairy Shrine, Select Sires, Inc., Semex/Boviteq and Trans Ova Genetics.
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