While most of us celebrated the beginning of 2001 with family and friends, the eight-member/three-coach Sam Houston State University Livestock Judging team was en route to Phoenix, Arizona to begin their judging season. From Arizona, it was off to the snow capped mountains of Colorado to compete at the National Western in Denver. After capturing more victories in Colorado, going down a few slopes, and building the Raven out of snow, it was back to Texas where the natives thawed out in time for competition at the Southwestern Livestock Exposition in Ft. Worth. From Ft. Worth, they were off to a national contest in Mississippi and then back to Texas for their final competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The 2000-2001 team members are: Carrie Smith, Winnie; Brian Hinkel, Katy; Mark Campise, LaPorte; Raney Whitwell, Bremond; Sharon Finke, Navasota; Chad Frank, Tomball; Bonnie Ramirez, Encino; and Michella Collum, Runge. This eager-to-win team is coached by "Little Man Kelley" a.k.a. Dr. Stanley Kelley and assistant coaches Brandon Gregson of Cut-n- Shoot and Scott Talley of Bellaire.