Lind, Ritzville dominate state potato contest

The state FFA Potato Career Development Contest was held on Nov. 10 at the Moses Lake Fairgrounds.

The Lind and Ritzville FFA chapters turned in an impressive effort as they dominated the state’s potato contest.

Both Lind and Ritzville were represented by two teams among the 28 teams from around the state at the contest.

FFA members were required to grade 100 potatoes, place four different seed potato classes, identify different blemish/diseases and give oral reasons on ten potatoes.

Lind’s Team No. 1 captured the state title and first place honors during the event. Team members include Connor O’Neill, Bryson O’Neill, Micheala Doyle, Maya Wahl and Bridger Smith.

Connor O’Neill was the top individual competitor among all participants. Bryson finished second while Doyle was fifth overall and Wahl captured eighth overall.

Ritzville’s Team No. 1 finished second in state. Those team members are: Brooke Pichette, Ashley Ambers, Colby Starring, Brittany Ste. Marie and Tyler Greenwalt.

For Ritzville, Brooke Pichette was third high individual overall and Sydney Nelson was fourth high individual overall.

Lind Team No. 2 captured third place among state competitors. The team includes Branden Aby, Dane Wahl, Bryden Laird, Grayson Whitaker and Toby Pence. Aby was seventh highest individual. Wahl took tenth overall as an individual competitor.

Ritzville Team No. 2 finished fourth overall and included Sydney Nelson, Dylan Hartz, Jacob Anderson, Brian Campbell and Heidi Hennings.

The top eight teams in the state were: Lind Team No. 1, first place; Ritzville Team No. 1, second place; Lind Team No. 2, third place, Ritzville Team No. 2, fourth place; Almira/Coulee-Hartline, fifth place; Ephrata, sixth place; Prosser, seventh place; and Stanwood, eighth place.

Lind has captured first place in the state event for three consecutive years.