Rugby’s meat judging team finished 12th at the recent national competition, earning a gold team award.

The team of Preston McGath, Monica Pritchett, Mike Ostrem and Josh Stutrud earned the right to participate by winning the state meat judging title.

The competition tests students’ skills and competence in evaluating and identifying meat carcasses and products. Event components include a general knowledge exam; beef carcass evaluation; identification of wholesale and retail cuts of beef, lamb, and pork; quality and yield grading of beef carcasses; and solving a meat formulation problem.

The event was held at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in conjunction with the 82nd National FFA convention held in Indianapolis.

Preston received a gold individual award with the rest of the team receiving silver awards. Individual placings were Preston 33rd, Josh 49th, Monica 71st, and Mike 72nd.

In addition to the four members who competed in the meat judging competition, 10 other Rugby members attended the national convention along with Rick Vannett, advisor. They were: Kelsey Mongeon, Jacey Shively, Zach Rameden, Christy Mattern, Daniel Storelid, Kent Schmaltz, Jayden Welk, Josie Klein, Chris Seaver, and Chris Fedje. These members participated in convention sessions, leadership development workshops and the career fair.