The winners for the annual western regional Dairy Challenge contest, held February 27 and 28, 2009, have been announced. Forty-two students from six universities competed including California Polytechnic State University, California State University–Fresno, University of Idaho, South Dakota State University, Texas A&M University and Washington State University.
Team Coronado was the Platinum-ranking team, composed of students Matt Strickland from Fresno State University, Samantha Wahls from South Dakota State University, Shane Smith from the University of Idaho, and Luke de Jong Cal Poly State University.
The three Gold award teams were:
Big Bar
Trent VanLeunen, University of Idaho, Andy Gray, Washington State University, Desiree McIntyre, Fresno State University, Amy Odens, Cal Poly State University, and Conner Martin, Cal Poly State University
Indio
Lauren Reid, Fresno State University, Katie Maples, Texas A & M University, Jarred Mello, Cal Poly State University, and Maci DePaoli, Cal Poly State University
Firebaugh
Kayla Machado, Cal Poly State University, Tim Korver, South Dakota State University, Megan Bettencourt, Fresno State University, II Hun Jeong, University of Idaho, and Carrie Crane, Cal Poly State University
The six teams earning Silver awards were:
Stockton
Travis Kamper, Cal Poly State University, Chloe Dixon, Washington State University, Daric Ameye, Fresno State University, and Courtney Curti, Cal Poly State University
Suttercreek
William Van Beek, Cal Poly State University, Kelsey Blagg, Fresno State University, Amelia Naher, University of Idaho, and Kevin Hooley, Washington State University
Mendota
Luke Gallegos, Texas A & M University, Kassie Romero, Fresno State University, Eric Schultz, South Dakota State University, and Susan Buttram, University of Idaho
Napa
Richard Mayo, Fresno State University, Neal Frerichs, Texas A & M University, Amber Terhaar, University of Idaho, and Corey Zonneveld, Cal Poly State University
Gilroy
Abigail Wirt, South Dakota State University, Philip deVries, Washington State University, Joel Goedhart, Cal Poly State University, and Jeanene Russo, University of Idaho
Morro Bay
Jordan VanGrouw, Cal Poly State University, Melody Jaime, Fresno State University, Shay McDonald, Texas A & M University, and Andrew Nicholson, University of Idaho