Katie Lybarger, a 2017 graduate of Anderson County High School, coached the Kansas 4-H All Star Meat judging team which won the National Championship at the American Royal in Kansas City, beating teams from 14 states during the 4-H Meat Judging Contest Championship. It is the first-ever national title for a Kansas team, which won by 27 points over Texas. The contest has been in existence since 1970.
Lyberger gives credit to the teams work ethic, saying they met for virtual practices every week, studied on their own and practiced hours a day leading up to the contest. She says they never once complained and took advantage of the opportunity. But, she says, most of all, they had fun. The team placed first in Retail Cut Judging, Retail Cut Identification, Oral Reasons and Overall Judging. They were second in Pork Judging and Beef Judging. Lybarger credited the 4-H members, coaches and volunteers at the local level who have invested years into the kids.
