The Northern Oklahoma College Livestock Judging Team was honored Saturday at the Renfro Center for their “Junior College Team of the Year” award for Judging in 2022-23.Coach Jennifer Bedwell was also honored for being named “Coach of the Year,” the first time for a female coach.Bedwell introduced the 15 sophomores from the team and told brief stories for each one at Saturday’s reception.Team members include Kale Campbell-Jet, OK, Cooper Thompson- Adair OK, Kash Butler-Grove, OK, Kord Butler- Grove, OK, Doug Hewitt- Cleveland OK, Sydney Alsip- Verona, KY, Brylee Williams- Princeton, MO, Olivia Gerloff- Bland, MO, Kylee Cannon- Kansas City, MO, Anna Hannon- Rensselaer, IN, Blake Peterson- Remington, IN, Emma Carley- Boise, ID, Hannah McElrath – Calhoun, GA, Parker Fleming, Jasper GA, and Aaron Mahan, Huntsville, AR.“When I recruited these kids, I was looking for not only the best judgers but also the best students and people,” she said. “You could see this coming their freshman year and they just continued to work hard and their hard work was rewarded.”Bedwell said that at one time, each member of the team’s name was called for individual honors at judging competitions this year.“Not many programs can say that,” she said. “It’s a testament to the depth we have in this group.” She also recognized the four All-Americans on this year’s team. They include Kale Campbell, Anna Hannon, Olivia Gerloff and Cooper Thompson.In closing, Bedwell put the success of this year’s team on the parents. “It all comes back to you (parents),” she said. “I’m just glad you let me have a hand in raising these kids the past two years.” All 15 students plan to judge at four-year institutions next year including Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Western Illinois, Kansas State, West Texas A&M.NOC Regent Jodi Cline read a Proclamation from the Oklahoma State Legislature (sponsored by Sen. Bill Coleman and Rep. John Pfeiffer) and Regent Chair Jami Groendyke read a proclamation from the NOC Board of Regents. NOC President Clark Harris told team members how proud he was of them for placing NOC in the national spotlight.As a reward for their effort, each team member and coach Bedwell will receive a customized belt buckle for their accomplishments. The team won four of the major judging competitions in 2022-23 including Louisville, Denver, Houston, and Kansas City.
