Another amazing year has come to a close for the Butler Community College Livestock Judging Program. The 2004-05 campaign added yet another chapter to the history of a program which is always among the nation’s elite. For the eighth consecutive year the team never finished out of the top ten in any competition. More impressive was this team’s level of consistency. The squad was named Champion or Reserve Champion at five of the seven national competitions and pulled off the unprecedented accomplishment of six members being named to the “National Junior & Community College All-American Team! ”

“I think that speaks quite highly of the natural abilities and work ethic found in each of our students. Each time out they compete against the best in an incredibly intense environment. To consistently rank amongst the nations elite is an amazing accomplishment. In fact, during the spring semester this sophomore team never settled for less than Reserve Champion honors at any of our national events. No program in the country can match their blend of competition and academic excellence,” stated Coach Chris Mullinix.

The year included 10 Champion or Reserve Champion honors returning to El Dorado. Along the way, Butler placed 64 individuals amongst contest top 10 while being named Champion or Reserve team in oral reasons competition on 14 occasions. Uniquely, Butler also had six different students recognized as high individuals overall in competition. The season’s impressive victories included Champion or Reserve Champion finishes at The Cow Palace in San Francisco, California; the National Western held in Denver, Colorado; the Arizona National in Phoenix; the Southwestern Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas and the Houston Livestock Show in Houston, Texas.

Coach Mullinix was obviously excited by those accomplishments. “This group of sophomores have had an amazing run. I’m not sure I’ve ever worked with a more intelligent and driven set of young people. Their team GPA of greater than 3.75 and record total of six Academic All-American’s may never be duplicated. They are a special group of young people which have represented Butler with tremendous class and professionalism. ”

Each of the teams graduates have received substantial scholarship money to numerous four year universities nation-wide and will attend such programs as Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Iowa State University and Texas A&M University.

“Perhaps the most exciting moments are yet to come,” states Mullinix. “I have no doubt this group of young people will have amazing success at their respective universities and continue to make the Butler community proud. ”