Stephen F. Austin State University

A team of forestry students from Stephen F. Austin State University recently proved the Lumberjack moniker adopted by the university in 1923 is more than just a name.

The students earned first place at the 2008 Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Forestry Conclave where they competed in axe and knife throwing, pole felling and climbing, log chopping, timber estimation, wood and wildlife identification, and more.

“Our enthusiastic team competed beyond compare, taking home first in technical events, first in physical events and first overall,” said Hurst senior Amy Braig, president of SFA’s Sylvan’s Forestry Club.

The conclave was hosted by the University of Florida in March. Fifteen universities accredited by the Society of American Foresters participated in the event. SFA made up the largest contingent with 37 students and one adviser taking part in the annual lumberjack competition.

In accordance with tradition, the hundreds of participating students camped outside in tents during the conclave. Spring storms made for a wet competition, but the heavy rains and gale-force winds did little to dampen the spirits of the contenders.

“Despite the weather, everyone was competitive and excited,” Braig said.  “SFA is a very proud competitor, but we also take pride in cheering for every team and providing help or equipment when necessary.”

Dr. Michael Fountain, associate dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at SFA, served as the team’s adviser. He has now attended 31 consecutive conclaves.

“The Sylvans, as always, did an excellent job of representing SFA in the ASFC Forestry Conclave,” he said. “They are always prepared for the competition, regardless of whether it is for one of the timber sports events, such as crosscut sawing, or for one of the technical events, such as wildlife identification.”

Besides the overall awards, the SFA team earned first place in two technical events: wildlife identification and pole classification. In the pole-classification event, students determine whether or not trees are suitable for use as utility poles.

In the physical events, the SFA team won first place in log birling, women’s bow saw, Jack-n-Jill crosscut saw, men’s crosscut, women’s crosscut, and pole climb. SFA has won both the men’s and women’s crosscut events at eight consecutive conclaves.

“They practice and study a lot,” Fountain said. “Additionally, they represent SFA well in terms of sportsmanship and respect for the other schools competing. The faculty, staff
and administration of the college are very proud of this year’s team for winning the competition and for carrying the flag of SFA proudly.”

SFA seniors included on the team were Mickey Allen II of Chireno; Otis Boatman of Nacogdoches; Amy Braig of Hurst; John Collins of Longview; Curtis Greene of Borger; Brady Harper of Hallsville; Jordan Hoskins of Katy; Shae Kipp of Rowlett; Derrick Lopez of Houston; Brent Newsom of Hughes Springs; Jacob Schuler of White Oak; Justin Shelby of Edgewood; Cody Stanley of Avery; Josh Trammell of Pittsburg; Doug Williams of Hemphill; and Jon Yarbrough of Shepherd.

Junior participants were Nathan Abbott of Crosby; Dean Attaway of College Station; Travis Briscoe of Kilgore; Matt Ford of Houston; Aaron Friar of Austin; Rachel Hebert of Belton; Corey Koether of Cleveland; Kyle Reynolds of Lufkin; Forest Roraback of Clarksville; Kirby Smith of Sugar Land; and Matt Wellspring of Terrell.

Sophomore team members included Chris Alford of Spring Hill; Gerrod Dobecka of Coppell; Cody Gage of Paris; Audrey Haley of Henderson; Stephanie Higgins of Ingleside; Deedra Raiford of Sour Lake; Taylor Wilson of Wichita Falls; and Kelby Wolf of Clarksville.

Two SFA freshmen, Justin Kirsh of Bastrop and Laura Muston of LaPorte, also took part in the conclave.