December 13, 2024
K-State Crops Judging Team wins 33rd National Championship
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2024 Fall Crops Judging Team, from left: Sarah Frye, assistant coach; Quinten Bina, assistant coach; Lakin Giager, Ella Pachta, Carissa Sohm, Peyton Merrick, Molly Kane, Faith Winkelmann, Karlie Albright and Rachel Cott, coach. Not pictured: Benton Kerr. |
The Kansas State University Collegiate Crops Judging Team swept the 2024 National Championship competitions in late November, earning first place overall team rankings in both the Kansas City and Chicago legs of the contest. This win is the team's 33rd fall national title since the beginning of the competition in 1923.
In Kansas City, the team competed in multiple events, taking first place in the Grain and Seed Quality team event and the Grain Grading, Seed Analysis, and Plant and Seed Identification events. In addition to the overall win in Kansas City, students received high individual rankings in the competition. Lakin Giager, sophomore in agronomy, Parsons, received the first overall individual ranking, Molly Kane, senior in agronomy, Paola, received the second overall individual ranking, and Carissa Sohm, junior in agronomy, Rolla, was ranked fourth overall individual.
In Chicago, the team's winning streak continued. In addition to the team being named the overall champion once again, they also received first place rankings in the Seed Analysis and Plant and Seed Identification events and received second rank in the Grain Grading event. Sohm was ranked the first overall individual, Giager received the second overall individual ranking and Kane was ranked third overall individual.
"The exceptional success and winning legacy of our Crops Judging Team is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students and faculty," said Ernie Minton, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. "This type of applied learning is crucial as it not only enhances students' practical skills but also reinforces the College of Agriculture's commitment to hands-on education. Such achievements underscore the importance of experiential learning in preparing our students for real-world challenges in agronomy and beyond."
The team is coached by Rachel Cott, assistant professor of crop science, who is assisted by Sarah Frye, academic coordinator, and Quinten Bina, junior in agronomy and agricultural education. Alternate competitors at the national contest were Karlie Albright, junior in agricultural education, Delia; Faith Winkelmann, senior in agronomy, Seward, Nebraska; and Ella Pachta, junior in agricultural education, Belleville.
"Congratulations to the winning team, the agronomy department is proud of your accomplishments," said Raj Khosla, head of agronomy. "Garnering such accolades speaks volumes about the expertise of our faculty members, Dr. Cott and Sarah Frye, who coach incredibly talented students in crop science. We educate the nation's best students."
The team thanks its donors for their ongoing support, and for making it possible to travel to contests: Channel Seed, Eisele Farms, Kevin Donnelly, MKC, KCIA, Kansas Wheat Alliance, Corteva Agriscience, Kansas Soybean, Kansas Corn, Kansas Wheat, Scott and Barb Albright, and the 1988 KSU Crops Judging Team.
For more information about the Crops Team and its history of accomplishments, visit the website and follow the team on X.