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NEO’s livestock judging team showcased its reputation as a leader in livestock judging, with the team showcasing exceptional talent. They were named the Champion Team at the 2025 Jarold Callahan Memorial Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest, held during the prestigious Cattlemen’s Congress. In addition to being crowned overall champions, the team earned several impressive honors:
- Champion Team Cattle (by a notable 29-point margin)
- Reserve Champion Team Swine
- Reserve Champion Team Reasons
Individual Standouts: NEO team members delivered extraordinary performances, with several earning top individual accolades:
- Brighton Lane
- High Individual Reasons
- High Individual Cattle Reasons
- 5th High Individual Swine
- 8th High Individual Cattle
- 13th High Individual Overall
- Tyeson Gravenhof
- 10th High Individual Overall
- 9th High Individual Reasons
- 6th High Individual Sheep & Goats
- Avery Kimble
- 4th High Individual Beef
- 14th High Individual Overall
- Dustee Hollenback
- 7th High Individual Swine
- 17th High Individual Overall
- Jacey Smith
- 18th High Individual Overall
Additional team members Chloe Mabry and Cooper Frazier also contributed to this remarkable victory.
Honoring Jarold Callahan’s Legacy
The contest holds deep significance for NEO, as it honors Welch, Oklahoma native Jarold Callahan. A 1974 NEO graduate and former competitive livestock judge, Callahan went on to coach NEO’s livestock judging team from 1976-1982. His dedication to education and his contributions to the cattle industry remain an inspiration to NEO students and alumni.
NEO President Dr. Kyle Stafford attended the critique and awards breakfast, celebrating the team’s outstanding accomplishments. “Winning this contest is a testament to the hard work of our students and coaches. It’s especially meaningful to excel in an event honoring Jarold Callahan, who left an indelible legacy at NEO,” Stafford said.
