Panhandle Community Comes Together for the 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off

Goodwell, Okla — Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off brought together students, alumni, community members, and local businesses for a day filled with good chili, friendly competition, and cheering on the Aggie Football team. The long-standing tradition is one of Aggie Nation’s favorite fall events, celebrating the strong community ties that define OPSU and the region.

This year’s event featured a wide variety of chili recipes. Attendees enjoyed visiting all the booths and sampling the entries to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award. OPSU’s panel of Chili Cook-Off judges had the tough job of selecting the best of the best.

Taking home first place for Judge’s Choice were Tyler Bryant, Roger Edenborough, James Hager, and Jard Steinbach. Second place went to Seaboard Foods, third place to Audrey Roderick, and fourth place to Panhandle First Bank.

For the People’s Choice Award, the team of Tyler Bryant, Roger Edenborough, James Hager, and Jared Steinbach also claimed first place, Anchor D Bank earning second, Cameron Murley, Casey DeBock, and Brandon Tripp taking third, and Chet Oblander and Chad Blackmore rounding out the top spots in fourth.

“The Chili Cook-Off is one of my favorite events each year because it perfectly captures who we are as a community,” said OPSU President Dr. Julie Dinger. “It brings together our students, alumni, local businesses, and families in a way that reminds us why the Panhandle is such a special place to live and learn.”

The success of this year’s Chili Cook-Off is all thanks to the incredible support of our community, the hard work of the planning committee, and the enthusiasm of everyone who came out to take part in the fun.

To see more moments from the day, check out our photo gallery at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCzJq9.

About OPSU 

Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public university committed to access, academic excellence, and regional service. Located in Goodwell, Oklahoma, OPSU serves students from a wide range of backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on rural and first-generation learners. With career-focused programs in agriculture, business, education, nursing, science, and the liberal arts, OPSU offers a personalized learning experience grounded in small class sizes and close faculty support. The university is guided by the values of grit, collaboration, accountability, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. These principles shape our commitment to student success and drive our impact on the communities we serve.