K-State recently won its eighth national champion meat animal evaluation team title in the last 10 years.
April 27, 2026
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Continuing a long-standing tradition of excellence, the Kansas State University meat animal evaluation team added another national championship to its legacy, showcasing the strength of the program and its students.
This win represents the eighth national championship title in the last 10 years for the Wildcats.
Team members Riley Miller and Olivia Nitschke said the experience was both rewarding and unforgettable, highlighting months of preparation and dedication leading up to the contest.
“This has been something we’ve worked toward for a long time,” Miller said. “To see it all come together at the national level was incredibly rewarding.”
The meat animal evaluation contest challenges students to assess livestock, evaluate carcasses and apply industry knowledge to real-world scenarios. Success requires not only technical skill, but also strong communication and decision-making abilities.
Nitschke said coaches Payton Dahmer and Travis O’Quinn helped the team prepare and played a key role in their success.
“We spent countless hours practicing and working together; we would be in the classroom from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.” she said. “That consistency and teamwork made all the difference when it came time to compete.”
Beyond the competition itself, both students emphasized the broader impact the experience has had on their professional growth. Participating in the contest helped team members strengthen industry knowledge, build self-confidence and develop skills that will carry into their future careers.
“This experience goes far beyond the contest,” Miller said. “It prepares you for real-world situations in the livestock industry and helps you grow as a professional.”
The two team members said that for them and their teammates, the win represents not only a title, but also the continuation of a proud legacy built on hard work, teamwork and a shared commitment to the agricultural industry.
