Some judges will have a weight range they will go with, unless there is one that they just cant get around, your calf may have been out of it. We shoot for calves to weigh in at 1250 to 1330, ideal being around 1300, heavier than that they seem to get knocked down if there is one that is comparable but in the right weight range. Without seeing them side by side and walking I'm not going to give a reason either way.
The boy I helped out a few years ago won the show, the calf that was reserve was just as good, a little longer bodied but everything else was comparable, the boys steer weighed in at 1285, full, the other 1389 (the dad was not there and the mom had the son water the calf prior to weigh-in, he filled up) My good friend had been helping the other family over the years, he knew who was going to win before they even showed, based off the weight.