Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The Sylvans, Stephen F. Austin State University’s timbersports team, claimed top honors at the 63rd annual Southern Forestry Conclave, surpassing 11 other well-known universities from across the southern United States in both technical and physical forestry competitions. The event, hosted by the University of Tennessee, comes after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This marks the first time in Sylvans history that the club has won four consecutive Conclaves,” said Dr. Jeremy Stovall, Bone Hill Distinguished Professor of Silviculture and Sylvans faculty advisor. “That now brings us to seven wins over the past eight Conclaves, with 16 wins in total.”
The Sylvans scored 237 points overall, with North Carolina State University placing second with 213 points. Clemson University rounded out the top three with 206.75 points. This is the eighth-consecutive Conclave in which the SFA Sylvans have taken first place in the physical events.
While the physical events of the competition often garner the most attention, excelling in technical events, such as wildlife identification, dendrology and photogrammetry, is just as rewarding for students.
“I can certainly confirm that the curriculum offered through my wildlife courses at SFA prepared me very well for the wildlife competition,” said Taylor McDaniel, forestry junior and Sylvans work projects vice president. “I really appreciate that Conclave encourages both brawn and brains. Although the technical events may not be as exciting to watch, the whole team is just as excited for us when they hear our names called on stage.”
While the Sylvans primarily comprise forestry students, all majors are welcome to join. For more information on the Sylvans, contact Stovall at stovalljp@sfasu.edu.