Dairy cattle judges from 18 national and regional universities competed in the 14th annual Accelerated Genetics Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held Sunday, September 16, 2007 in Viroqua, Wis. Garnering top individual honors was Shi Lurvey at 706 points. Lurvey also talked her way to second place in Oral Reasons to win a $150 James Crowley Scholarship. The UW-Madison Team Cardinal placed fourth overall with 2018 points, just nine points behind first place Iowa State University. They also earned 3rd place in Oral Reasons, 1st in Holsteins, 2nd in Milking Shorthorns and 4th in Jerseys.

UW-Madison Team Cardinal Placings:
4th Team Overall (2018 points)
3rd in Oral Reasons
1st in Holsteins
2nd in Milking Shorthorns
4th in Jerseys

Individual Awards and Members:
Shi Lurvey – Lone Rock, Wis. – Dairy Science/Life Sciences Communication – Sophomore
1st High Individual Overall (706 points)
2nd in Oral Reasons ($150 James Crowley Scholarship winner)
1st in Holsteins
Shannon Dwyer – West Bend, Wis. – Dairy Science – Senior
4th in Jerseys
Ashley Sprengeler – Plato, MN – Dairy Science – Sophomore
Kayla Buske – Brownsville, Wis. – Dairy Science/Life Sciences Communication – Sophomore

UW-Madison Team Black:
10th Team Overall (1934 points)

Individual Awards and Members:
Lydia Hardie – Blair, Wis. – Dairy Science – Sophomore
Andrew Dietsche – Colfax, Wis. – Dairy Science – Junior
Claudia Hardie – Blair, Wis. – Dairy Science – Sophomore
Scott Schugel – New Ulm, MN – Dairy Science – Sophomore

UW-Madison Team White:
Individual Awards and Members:
Jenna Dittmar – Wausau, Wis. – Zoology – Senior

Ted Halbach, dairy cattle evaluation instructor, and Dave Dickson, emeritus professor of Dairy Science, coached the teams.

“We send our first-year team members to the Accelerated Contest and our results there were every bit as satisfying as any contest win my teams have had,” said Halbach. “The students really embraced competing with each other in practice which I believe springs to individual improvement, leading to team success. To see the learning and skill development grow from the first day of practice was simply amazing”
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Photos available for download:

https://webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/downloads/AccleratedTeamCardinal.jpg
left to right, Shi Lurvey, Kayla Buske, Ashley Sprengeler, Shannon Dwyer

https://webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/downloads/AcceleratedHighInd.jpg
Dr. Ole Meland, Vice President of Genetics presenting award to Shi Lurvey, High Individual Overall