The UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Judging Team, consisting of Kylie Konyn, Chloe LaCrosse, Natalie Roe, and Emma Dorshorst, placed second at the 2024 World Dairy Expo Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest. Kylie Konyn, a senior studying Dairy Science from Escondido, CA, earned top honors as both the High Individual Overall and High Individual in Oral Reasons. The team was coached by Trent Olson and UW-Madison alumnus Brian Kelroy.
The team placed second in Oral Reasons and first in Brown Swiss, Holsteins, and Jerseys, securing its second-place overall finish in the contest. The University of Minnesota won the competition by 22 points, with Iowa State University finishing third.
Konyn led the Badgers’ four-member team, while her teammates Chloe LaCrosse placed 14th, Natalie Roe finished 16th, and Emma Dorshorst placed 25th. All four team members earned the coveted status of All-American, finishing in the top 25 individually.
For Konyn, being named High Individual was a significant honor. “To me, being named High Individual is a complete honor—not only because it allows me to represent myself and the dedication I’ve put in over the years, but also because it reflects the honor of representing UW-Madison as a whole. It is also a testament to all the people and the team who helped me get here,” Konyn states. “While it’s an individual award, being able to share it with my teammates made it even more special for me.”
Reflecting on the moment she heard her name called, Konyn shares, “When I heard my name being called, it was really special that my mom and sister were able to be there and share that experience with me. Learning that it was a tie-breaker, I was very nervous, but to then hear my name announced, there was a huge sense of pride for all of the efforts I had put in over the years to practice my skills.”
The success of the UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Judging Team is not only attributed to their technical skills but also to the mental resilience and confidence they cultivated throughout their training. Both Emma Dorshorst and Natalie Roe offer valuable insights for current and future team members based on their experiences.
Emma Dorshorst highlights the importance of maintaining mental clarity during the contest: “It’s essential to compartmentalize and push through the mental fog, especially during the reasons portion, to stay fresh for each set.”
Natalie Roe emphasizes the significance of self-confidence and trusting one’s instincts: “Always trust your gut and be confident in your decisions. In the contest, the adrenaline and nerves can make things feel intimidating, but self-belief and instinct are key to success.”
The lessons learned in dairy judging extend beyond practical skills, with participants gaining valuable life skills along the way. Sixteen teams from across the country traveled to World Dairy Expo to compete in the contest, where they not only honed their judging abilities but also developed confidence, public speaking skills, critical thinking, logic, and good sportsmanship as they competed for top honors.