Penn State Students Sweep 2009 Northeast Student Affiliate Contest

Penn State students placed first overall in the 2009 Northeast Affiliate of the American Dairy Science Association and American Society of Animal Science at its annual contest in February, marking a repeat of their strong performance in the 2008 contest. Four other Penn State teams placed in the top ten overall rankings. The event was hosted by the University of Connecticut.

Penn State teams won first place in the Judging Division and the Quiz Bowl, and David Wilson, Port Royal, was named Outstanding Senior. Several students took top honors in the paper presentation portion of the contest. Thirty-two students from the Dairy Science Club and Block and Bridle Club represented Penn State in teams of four. Livestock judging was judged on an individual as well as team basis.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science (DAS), said, "I congratulate our students on their outstanding success at NESA. Their excellence in every area again affirms the strong academic background provided by our dedicated faculty and staff. We are very proud of this continued achievement and applaud our student's dedication and hard work."

Penn State's team "E" placed first overall in the contest and first in the quiz bowl division where students answered questions in every field of animal science from genetics and physiology to industry knowledge. Team members were Chris Molinaro, McClure; Jenny Rassler, Kempton; Callihan Schillaci, Ephrata; and Wilson.

The first place judging team was Penn State's "G" team, consisting of Elizabeth Smith, Lebanon; Turner Swartz, Port Royal; Mike Woods, Mechanicsburg; and Adam Zurin, Mt. Joy. Three other Penn State teams placed in the top five. In the individual judging contest, Will Nichols, Tyrone, placed second; Mike Woods, third; Wilson, sixth; and Swartz, seventh. Students evaluated a class of Jersey cows, Tamworth hogs, Morgan mares, Hereford heifers, Southdown sheep, and a surprise class of English Labrador dogs.

Wilson was named Outstanding Senior in Animal Science based on scholarship, leadership, involvement in agriculture and future plans.

Penn State DAS students also excelled in the portion of the contest which involved presenting a paper on a current topic in animal science. Jessica Rose, Lebanon, captured second place with her presentation on genomics and Robyn Bechtel, Martinsburg, placed fifth with her speech on lactoferrin in milk. Janelle Hartzell, Slippery Rock, also won top honors in the original research division with her presentation on a comparative study of protein sources in dairy rations. Other presenters included Ashley Harshbarger, Millerstown; Chad Hoover, Patton; Molinaro; Schillaci, Anna Smith, Belleville; Woods; and Kasey Woolam, South Windsor, CT.

With ten universities competing, Penn State was followed in second place by Rhode Island and in third place by Delaware Valley.