Pennsylvania College of Technology competitors and one of their faculty advisers gather for a group photo during the recent Mid-Atlantic Woodsmen’s Competition in Clyde, N.C. Kneeling, from left, are students Brendan A. Wilson, Melissa D. Berrier and Jonathan L. Snyder. Standing, from left, are Jack E. Fisher, lab assistant for forestry; and students Thomas D. Miller, Jonathan R. Thomas, James D. Aumiller, Valerie E. Hoover and Derek J. Peterson.

Seven students from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s School of Natural Resources Management – including a blue-ribbon team in the log roll – placed in the Mid-Atlantic States Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet at Haywood Community College in Clyde, N.C., on April 12.

Students from the college’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center competed against four other teams throughout the day April 12, in events including pole climb, axe-throw, men and women’s crosscut saw, single buck saw, underhand chopping, water boil, archery and log-rolling. Penn College squared off against rivals Penn State Mont Alto, Montgomery Community College, Allegany College of Maryland and the host team.

Penn College competitors are encouraged by classmates during the crosscut saw event.

Winning competitors from Penn College included forest technology students James D. Aumiller III, Milroy; Derek J. Peterson, Corry; Jonathan L. Snyder, Gordon; Jonathan R. Thomas, Hollsopple; and Brendan A. Wilson, Kersey.

They were joined by Melissa D. Berrier, of Mifflin, and Valerie E. Hoover, of Selinsgrove, both enrolled in landscape/nursery technology.

The team finished fourth overall; individual/team events resulted in one first place, four third-place ribbons and two fourths. Competitors were accompanied by Jack E. Fisher and Dustin C. Moore, members of the forestry faculty.

"Our students practiced many hours for the competition and obviously, the hard work paid off,” said Mary A. Sullivan, dean of natural resources management. “We're pleased that they had the opportunity to interact with students from other colleges and represented Penn College in such a positive manner. Great job!”

First Place
Winning top prize in the log-rolling event were Aumiller, Hoover, Snyder and Thomas.

Other finishes by Penn College students were:

Third Place
Archery – Wilson

Chain Saw – Thomas

Pulp Toss for Accuracy – Aumiller, Berrier, Hoover, Peterson, Snyder and Thomas

Women’s Axe Throw – Hoover

Fourth Place
Pole Climb – Aumiller

Stihl Collegiate Timbersports Competition – Wilson

For more information about the School of Natural Resources Management, visit online  or call (570) 320-8038. To learn more about Penn College, visit on the Web , e-mail or call (800) 367-9222.