MURRAY, KY – Northeast Community College students finished in second place in sweepstakes and earned a number of first place awards in several contests for two-year colleges at the 2019 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference held at Murray State University in Murray, KY.

Northeast was one of 22 community college and 27 university teams to compete in the April 10-13 conference.

In the Agribusiness Contest, the Northeast team placed first in team case study and first overall. Team members include Joey Kratochvil, Clarkson; Joey Pohlen, Hospers, IA; Madisen Randa, Verdigre; and Caleb Zohner, Battle Creek.

Individually, Randa placed first overall, Pohlen was second overall and Zohner placed third overall.

In the Ag Computers Contest, the Northeast team finished first overall. Team members include Justin Mensik and Michael Mensik, Morse Bluff; Elijah Mohlman, Platte Center; and Jacob Sprunk, Columbus.

In Ag Mechanics, the Northeast team placed second overall. Team members include: Tyler Masat, Plainview; Tyler Doernemann, Dodge; Jayton Frank, North Bend; and Zohner. Individually, Zohner placed first overall.

In the Crops Contest, the Northeast team placed first overall. Team members include Dustin Schmit, Hospers, IA; Robert Thomas, Johnstown, PA; Frank and Pohlen. Also participating in the contest were Daryn Carroll, Hayes Center; Camden Stephenson, Morse Bluff, Doernemann, and Kratochvil.

In Dairy Judging, the Northeast team placed third in placings, reasons and overall. Team members include Dakota Chapman, North Bend; Jackson Eisenhauer, Bloomfield; McGwire Mackeprang, Bloomfield; Conner Scheer, Arlington.

Individually, Mackeprang placed second in reasons and fifth overall.

In the Knowledge Bowl, Northeast placed second as a team. Team members include Karmen Hake, Creston; Logan McKeon, Stanton; Frank and Randa.

In Livestock Judging, the Northeast team placed six overall. Team members include Eisenhauer, Hake, Mackeprang, Randa and Scheer.

In Livestock Management, the Northeast team placed third overall. Team members include Ashley Koupal and Sarah Koupal, Dante, SD; Nick Iburg, Elgin; and Hake.

In the Soils Contest, the Northeast team placed fourth overall. Team members include Trevor Brummels, Ewing; Paxten Indra, Clarkson; McKeon and Thomas. Also competing in the Soils Contest was Brennan Roth, Milford.

In the Poster Competition, Thomas earned first place overall for his “Innovative Ideas” poster.

The Precision Ag Contest Team placed first overall. Team members include Aaron Volquardsen, Madison; Carroll, Schmit, and Thomas. Competing as individuals were Indra and Dustin Ternus, Madison.

Individually, Ternus placed first in the UAS/Drones division while Volquardsen placed first in the individual spraying division of the contest.

The students were accompanied by Michael Roeber, Bernie Thyen, Chris Burbach, Mike Zierke, Sarah Sellin, Chance Lambrecht and Brandon Keller, Northeast agriculture instructors.

In addition to participating in the contests, the students toured the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and visited area attractions in and near Murray, KY, including a living history farm and a Civil War battlefield.

Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS, will host the 2020 NACTA Judging Conference. Northeast Community College hosted the 2018 conference.