Four Straight Victories for University of Minnesota in The National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

University of Minnesota finished first among 18 schools in the 105^th National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at World Dairy Expo^®. The team finished with a score of 2,496 and added to their achievements by also being the high team for reasons. The team included Jacob Harbaugh, Rachel Visser, Evan Hathaway and Tyler Ratka and was coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Dr. Isaac Haagen, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Houdek. Harbaugh, Visser and Hathaway placed first, fourth and ninth as individuals, respectively. This is the fourth consecutive year that University of Minnesota has finished as the first team overall. Finishing second and third team overall were Iowa State University and The Ohio State University, respectively. Other teams finishing in the top five include Pennsylvania State University and University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:

Top Ten Teams – Overall:

1. University of Minnesota, 2,496, team members include: Jacob Harbaugh, Rachel Visser, Evan Hathaway and Tyler Ratka, coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Dr. Isaac Haagen, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Houdek
2. Iowa State University, 2455, team members include: Joseph Achen, Anders Lovstuen, Haley Ronnebaum and Jon Chapman, coached by Christen Burgett and Mary Fliehler
3. The Ohio State University, 2449, team members include: Olivia Finke, Zach Johnson, Lauryn Young and Libby Sutton, coached by Bonnie Ayars and Sarah Thomas
4. Pennsylvania State University, 2435, team members include: Ainsley Sellers, Sara Reed, Madison Mowrer and Abigale Bricker, coached by Dale Olver
5. University of Wisconsin­–River Falls, 2429, team members include: Phia Kamm, Natalie Clemenson, Sophie Stelling and Jacy Saemrow, coached by Mary Holle and Steven Kelm
6. Purdue University, 2419, team members include: Seth Ariens, Caroline Egolf, Amelia Stone and Rhea Miller, coached by Brian Engleking
7. University of Wisconsin­–Madison, 2408, team members include: Garrett Ulness, Brianna Meyer, Brooklyn Schwoerer and Kelsey Hardy, coached by Brian Kelroy and Danielle Brown
8. Cornell University, 2402, team members include: Abbie Ainslie, Lincoln Michaud, Lauren King and Allison Gabel, coached by Kevin Ziemba and Bryce Windecker
9. University of Florida, 2392, team members include: Jenna Larson, Johanna Heijkoop and Lilly Larson, coached by Colleen Larson and Travis Larson
10. Virginia Tech, 2382, team members include: Ayla Janney, Julie Odom, Savannah Rice and Erika Hildebrand, coached by Dr. Katharine Knowlton

Top Ten Individuals:

1. Jacob Harbaugh, 843, University of Minnesota
2. Ainsley Sellers, 842, Pennsylvania State University
3. Joseph Achen, 838, Iowa State University
4. Rachel Visser, 829, University of Minnesota
5. Lauryn Young, 828, The Ohio State University
6. Lauren King, 827, Cornell University
7. Julia Searls, 825, Kansas State University
8. Amelia Stone, 825, Purdue University
9. Evan Hathaway, 824, University of Minnesota
10. Phia Kamm, 824, University of Wisconsin–River Falls

Top Ten Teams – Reasons:

1. University of Minnesota, 841, team members: Jacob Harbaugh, Rachel Visser, Evan Hathaway and Tyler Ratka, coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Dr. Isaac Haagen, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Houdek
2. Iowa State University, 826, team members: Joseph Achen, Anders Lovstuen, Haley Ronnebaum and Jon Chapman, coached by Christen Burgett and Mary Fliehler
3. Purdue University, 812, team members: Seth Ariens, Caroline Egolf, Amelia Stone and Rhea Miller, coached by Brian Engleking
4. University of Wisconsin­–Madison, 805, team members: Garrett Ulness, Brianna Meyer, Brooklyn Schwoerer and Kelsey Hardy, coached by Brian Kelroy and Danielle Brown
5. University of Florida, 803, team members: Jenna Larson, Johanna Heijkoop and Lilly Larson, coached by Colleen Larson and Travis Larson
6. The Ohio State University, 802, team members: Olivia Finke, Zach Johnson, Lauryn Young and Libby Sutton, coached by Bonnie Ayars and Sarah Thomas
7. Cornell University, 801, team members: Abbie Ainslie, Lincoln Michaud, Lauren King and Allison Gabel, coached by Kevin Ziemba and Bryce Windecker
8. Pennsylvania State University, 799, team members: Ainsley Sellers, Sara Reed, Madison Mowrer and Abigale Bricker, coached by Dale Olver
9. University of Wisconsin­–River Falls, 792, team members: Phia Kamm, Natalie Clemenson, Sophie Stelling and Jacy Saemrow, coached by Mary Holle and Steven Kelm
10. Virginia Tech, 789, team members: Ayla Janney, Julie Odom, Savannah Rice and Erika Hildebrand, coached by Dr. Katharine Knowlton

Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:

1. Jacob Harbaugh, 285, University of Minnesota
2. Rachel Visser, 282, University of Minnesota
3. Joseph Achen, 281, Iowa State University
4. Brianna Meyer, 281, University of Wisconsin–Madison
5. Anders Lovstuen, 280, Purdue University
6. Abbie Ainslie, 279, Cornell University
7. Jenna Larson, 279, University of Florida
8. Julia Searls, 276, Kansas State University
9. Clancey Krahn, 275, Oklahoma State University
10. Amelia Stone, 274, Purdue University

The National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, STgenetics; Gold Sponsor, Hoard’s Dairyman; Silver Sponsors, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, The Hartford Livestock Department, Randy Geiger Memorial Fund, Saloah Hageman and American Guernsey Association Youth Fund; and additional supporters including American Jersey Cattle Association, Ayars Family Farm, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, David P. Dickson Trust, Dr. Douglas Waterman, Fight Bac, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Maryland Brown Swiss Association, Judy Majeskie, National Dairy Shrine, Select Sires, Inc., Semex/Boviteq, and Trans Ova Genetics.

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo is the premier forum for the dairy community to learn, share, create commerce and showcase competition. The annual event is taking place in Madison, Wis. September 29 – October 2, 2026. Dairy producers can experience the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, a world-class dairy cattle show, attend seminars, meetings and presentations highlighting the latest and greatest in the industry and connect with other producers. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Spotify, or YouTube for more information.