MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Seven members of the West Virginia University Soils Team competed in the National Collegiate Soils Contest, held recently in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
The event brought together 199 students from 27 schools across the country.
The WVU team finished 8th overall in the competition. Leading the way was JosiLee Scott, who claimed first place in the individual judging portion, outperforming 105 other participants.
Scott is only the third WVU student to win the individual competition and the first since 2016.
Joining Scott on the team were Aubrie Benavidez, Damon LeMaster, Talan Linville, Madelyn Soble, Daisy Stemple, and Jaden Wiser, all students in the Davis College School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Prior to the two-day contest, the team spent four days practicing in central Wisconsin, studying a variety of soil types and landscapes.
The region features sandy soils formed from glacial materials such as till, outwash, and other glaciofluvial sediments.
“I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of all these students,” said James Thompson, professor of soil sciences and land use.
“They continue to build upon the past success of the WVU Soils Team. I believe this speaks to the quality of the training that these students receive from WVU and it also reflects the overall strength of the academic programs across the Davis College.”
