BHC wins NACTA Judging Conference for 16th time
Black Hawk College East Campus students and coaches won the NACTA Judging Conference Sweepstakes Award.
Congratulations to the 53 Black Hawk College East Campus students and six coaches for winning the 2025 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference Sweepstakes Award.
This outstanding achievement marks the 16th time Black Hawk College has earned the top prize at the national judging conference, reinforcing a legacy of excellence built through strong instruction, student commitment, and competitive depth across agriculture disciplines. BHC previously captured the Sweepstakes Award in 1981–85, 1989, 2009, 2014, 2016–19, and 2022–24. The contest was not held in 2020 and 2021, making the college’s continued success over multiple decades particularly significant..
The 2025 NACTA Judging Conference was held in April at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, and welcomed competitors from two-year and four-year institutions nationwide with institutional NACTA membership. Students were tested across a broad range of contests emphasizing applied knowledge, analysis, and real-world agricultural decision-making.
Black Hawk College secured the Sweepstakes Award by earning the highest combined team score among two-year schools, driven by strong performances across multiple events. Standout individual results included first-place finishes by Blake LeFevre in Agriculture Mechanics, Kelsey Zepp in Dairy Cattle Judging, Drew Jacobson in Livestock Judging, Shelton Biddle in Soils, and Karsyn Cocanower in both Livestock Management and overall leadership roles. Team victories in Equine Management, Livestock Management, and Soils further demonstrated the program’s depth and balance.
These results reflect the dedication of BHC’s coaching staff—including Dr. Blake Bloomberg, Aaron Callahan, Janet Johnson, and Cole Wright—as well as the preparation and professionalism of students who continue to represent Black Hawk College at the highest national level.