Youth Spotlight
Strong Roots Bright Future Morgan Friesenhahn Dedication, drive, and determination accurately describe seventeen-year-old Morgan Friesenhahn who is no stranger to the swine industry. In fact, Morgan’s passion for showing hogs runs deep within her roots. It all started more than 50 years ago when her grandfather, Otto Luensmann, laid the foundation for her family’s show pig operation. Morgan’s mother Lisa and aunt grew up showing the hogs they had raised and her grandfather continued to market show pigs even after they had graduated. Once Morgan began showing, their operation grew as they started to add more sows and broaden their genetic background. Today, Coyote Creek Genetics has approximately 25 litters on the ground ranging from Hampshires to Yorkshires and from Crossbreds to Spots. Morgan and her younger brother Nathan primarily show all of their own hogs and then market the rest to other exhibitors.
Family is no doubt the center of Morgan’s success in the show ring. “I have the most supportive family you will ever meet, but there are three men in particular that have as much passion for the livestock industry as I do,” she states. Referring to them as her “main three,” Morgan says that her father Mike, her grandpa “Opie,” and her uncle Wade have been with her every step of the way. Detailing the strong willed personalities that they all possess, herself included, Morgan says that although they disagree from time to time, ultimately they make a great team. “I always know that with these three men by my side, I am the luckiest showman out there and I don’t know how to thank them enough,” she said. Thinking back to the first time she entered the show ring, Morgan describes it as the moment that sparked her passion for the show industry and taught her a lesson she will never forget. She tells a story of her first steer “Buddy,” who ironically was not so friendly and was often too stubborn to lead. With tears rolling down her face only moments before she was supposed to walk into the ring, eight-year-old Morgan had decided she was not going to show her first steer. Morgan’s father, who has always pushed her to succeed, made it clear to her that if she were to quit before she ever began she was not going to have the opportunity to step foot in a show ring again. “I couldn’t tell you what place I came in that day, but I do know that it was in that moment that I realized how much passion I have for showing livestock,” she recalled. “Quitting would never be an option in my mind again.”
Being involved in production agriculture has taught Morgan that nothing goes as planned, particularly when describing a typical day in the barn. She explains that sometimes you have to “just go with it” because when working with livestock, you never know what is going to happen or how they are going to act. “Everyday in the barn brings new challenges, much like life,” she says. “That is simply what I love and even sometimes hate about the industry, but if you accept it and “go with it,” there is nothing that can stop you.”
“Everyday in the barn brings new challenges, much like life.”
Over the course of her ten-year showing career, Morgan has experienced a great deal of success and is extremely proud of what she has accomplished. Among these achievements include winning the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Market Hog at the Guadalupe County Youth Show, exhibiting a 2nd, 3rd and 4th place steer at San Antonio, a class winning steer at Austin and a 4th place steer at Houston. She also drove a 5th place barrow at San Antonio along with several 1st place gilts.
Sticking to her roots, Morgan’s favorite show is the Guadalupe County Youth Show. Although she is driven by her competiveness and will to succeed, she explains what she values most about this show is the support the exhibitors give one another. “It’s still a competition, but I love that you can pass on a meaningful ‘good luck’ or receive a reassuring ‘good job’ from the showman penned next you,” says Morgan.“Everyone knows one another there; we’re like a family.” Morgan’s definition of success doesn’t always entail coming in first place. She loves all aspects of the show world and treasures the opportunity her family has given her by getting her involved in this industry. Although it requires hard work on a daily basis, it is those special moments on show day that keep her going and gives her assurance that her work is paying off. “A simple ‘you did great’ or ‘he looked awesome’ from the people I look up to is all it takes for me to continue to work harder and chase the next banner,” Morgan states. Her success also reaches far beyond the show ring. Aside from being a member of the National Honor Society and ranking as one of the top five students in her senior class, Morgan recently obtained a notable achievement in her livestock judging career. Her and her teammates won the 2015 State Roundup Livestock Judging Contest in College Station, TX. “The overwhelming amount of stress and countless hours of practice were worth it when we heard our names announced on stage and saw Mr. Real grinning from from ear-to-ear with pride,” said Morgan as she reflected on her most memorable experience.
From the day she began showing, Morgan has had her sights set on receiving a scholarship from the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. With one shot left, she will be working twice as hard this year to achieve that goal. Morgan plans to attend Texas Tech University next fall and hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy. As she wraps up her senior year and enters the show ring one last time, she doesn’t plan on straying too far from the pig barn. Morgan says she dreams of one day owning a large show pig operation, and she plans on continuing to build off of her grandfather’s herd in order to one day reach that goal. “The best advice I have ever been given is to never give up on something that once made you happy,” says Morgan. “Needless to say, I am very passionate about showing livestock and my involvement within in this industry is not nearing an end.”
Texas Pork Producers Association wishes you the best of luck on your future endeavors!
Get to know Morgan! Nickname: Mo, MoMo, Mosifus, and Mozilla School: Marion High School 4H/ FFA Chapter: New Berlin 4-H / Marion FFA Extra-curricular activities: National Honor Society, EDGE Youth Group, Cross Country and Track, and Photography Club I always make sure I …. have a can of hairspray in every show box. I would never go to a show without … a case of Big Red. If I could be one person I would be … Sandra Bullock. I am currently jamming to … Cody Johnson. I have always looked up to… my brother. The biggest thrill would be … for my team to win the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at Louisville this fall.