Penn State Teams Win Student Competitions
At this year’s National Sports Turf Manager’s Associations National Conference in Phoenix Arizona both of Penn State’s Competitive Student Teams placed first in their divisions. The four-year turfgrass science team placed first out of 30 competing teams from Universities across the country in a written exam covering sports turf management topics as well as plant, insect, and disease ID.
First place 4-year team from left to right: Matt Naedell (captain), Tanner Devalle, Mark Peasley, and Matt Elmore.
In the Two-Year division Penn State also placed first out of 15 teams competing. All team participants were in their second year of Penn State’s Two Year Turfgrass Certificate Program. The awards are currently on display in The Hamilton Turf Club Room in ASI.
First place in the Two-Year Division from left to right: Josh Dubbs (captain), Andre Aymar, Blaise Restifo, and Robert Finnegan.
Each winning team received $4,000 to be used for the development of a student study center, to aid in preparation and study for future competitions and as a general resource for turfgrass science students.
Penn State Crew visits SuperBowl site in Arizona.
The Students would like to thank Keystone Athletic Field Manager’s Association and TORO for their financial assistance in attending the conference. The students would also like to thank those who took the time to help with evening training sessions including: Andrew McNitt (coach), Dr. Peter Landschoot, Dr. Max Schlossberg, Dr. Al Jarret, Ms. Dianne Petrunak, Mr. Steve LeGros, Mr. Jeff Borger, Mr. Dave Livingston, Mr. Matt Neri, and Mr. Jeff Fowler.
Penn State Turfgrass Science Student Wins Watson Scholarship
Sara Camuso (Senior Turfgrass Science) won the prestigious Watson undergraduate scholarship. This is the highest undergraduate scholarship offered by the Sports Turf Manager’s Association and is named for the first Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science, Dr. James Watson who received his Ph.D. from Penn State in 1950.