Representing Redlands Community College at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are (front row l-r) Blake Janssen, Chyann Emerson, Garrison Bass, Mason Allan, Connor Pell, and Jack Habjan, and (back row l-r) Coach Macey Goretska, Vice President of Academic Affairs Annie Pearson, Redlands President Jena Marr, Riley Pearce, Lyndsey Garrett, Kenedy Devoe, Caroline Boysen, Brooke Seale, Nash Hensley, Ryan Deschand, Max Fischer, Hunter Perrier, and Coach Spencer Scotten. The team was named Team of the Year and included four All-Americans as well as Coach of the Year for Spencer Scotten.
The Redlands Livestock Judging Team’s season culminated with recognition as the Junior College Intercollegiate Team of the Year. Alongside this prestigious team award, Coach Spencer Scotten received the honor of Coach of the Year for his exceptional leadership and mentorship, and four team members were recognized as All-Americans.
“The Redlands ag program has a strong tradition of producing competitive, successful livestock judging teams,” said Redlands President Jena Marr. “I am immensely proud of Coach Scotten and this team for demonstrating such dedication and perseverance over the course of the season.”
The Junior College All-American Team was determined based on their exceptional scores accumulated throughout the rigorous and demanding livestock judging season, which included the American Royal, the North American International Livestock Expo, Cattlemen’s Congress, the National Western Stock Show and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The All-American Award for individuals considers academic achievement and performance during livestock judging contests.
“This year has been extremely competitive with as many strong teams and talented young people from across the country as I've seen since I've been coaching, so for our team to be named Team of the Year really says a lot about the level that our students competed at all year long,” Scotten said.
Redlands’ All-Americans are Mason Allan, Nocona, Texas; Chyann Emerson, Tuttle; Blake Janssen, Amber; and Connor Pell, Adair.
“Being named an All-American is a dream come true,” said Pell. “It was a goal that I had set for myself when I very first started judging, so I'm extremely grateful to be blessed with the opportunity, along with several of my outstanding teammates.”
Achieving All-American status has been a long-time goal for many of these students.
“Being named an All-American was my biggest goal I set out to achieve when I set foot on campus, and to see my dedication and work efforts come to fruition is a feeling that’s hard to describe. I owe it all to our incredible set of coaches, advisors and professors that set me up to succeed not only in contests but in the classroom,” Allan said.
In addition to the overall season awards, the Redlands team brought home several team and individual awards from the competition in Houston. Team results included third High Team Overall, High Team Overall in Swine, Brahman Cattle, and Reasons; second High Team in Cattle; and third High Team in Placings.
Pell finished High Individual Overall, in Cattle and in Reasons, and third in Sheep/Goats, Swine, and Placings. Allan placed third High Individual Overall, fourth in Swine, Cattle, and Reasons, and eighth in Placings. Jack Habjan, Linwood, Kan., finished seventh in Swine, and Janssen placed sixth in Reasons.
“My experience competing on the Redlands Judging Team was unrivaled relative to any team or organization I have ever been a part of,” Janssen said. “Not only do we strive to succeed and learn from our competitions, but we do so in a way that maintains an integrity which honors our school.”
Additional team members include Garrison Bass, Minco; Caroline Boysen, Santa Fe, Texas; Ryan Deschand, Fredonia, Penn.; Kenedy DeVoe, Justin, Texas; Max Fischer, Iowa Park, Texas; Lyndsey Garrett, Carlisle, Ky.; Nash Hensley, Markleville, Ind.; Riley Pearce, Enola, Ark.; Hunter Perrier, Bartlesville; Brooke Seal, Splendora, Texas; and Garrett Walden, Toganoxie, Kan.
“It's a real challenge to stay committed and put in the work necessary it takes to have the kind of success we have had, and I just can't say enough how proud I am of our entire team. I'm so excited to see what the young people accomplish after they leave Redlands,” Scotten said
Emerson added, “With great people and mentors like Spencer Scotten, Macey Goretska, Brandon Callis, Scotti Charmasson and many more, we were given every opportunity to succeed. I will forever be thankful for Redlands Community College allowing me to grow, prosper and become the young lady I am now. To build this kind of program, support and legacy at a small college in El Reno, Oklahoma, is a testament to what good people can do when operating under a common goal: to make the best better.”