Penn College Student Wins Silver at Hard-Fought Woodsmen’s Meet

Published 10.12.2016

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The Pennsylvania College of Technology Woodsmen’s Team traveled to the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina to compete in the 21st Annual John Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet on Oct. 1.

This is the second trip to North Carolina in as many years for the team, which is part of the college’s Forestry Club.

This year’s meet was contested by Penn College and nine other collegiate teams: Haywood Community College, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Montgomery Community College, North Carolina State University, Penn State Mont Alto, the University of Kentucky, the University of Tennessee, Warren Wilson College and West Virginia University.

Representing Penn College at a recent woodsmen's meet in North Carolina were: (front row, from left) Tyler W. Lauver, Mifflinburg; Alyssa R. McGraw, Bellefonte; Nancy M. Summers, Turbotville; and Kristin E. Cavanaugh, Bellefonte; and (second row, from left) Noah L. English, Bloomsburg; Jackson H. Gehris, Cogan Station; Anthony A. Hampton, Clearfield; G. Andrew Bartholomay, assistant professor of forest technology; Abigail L. Hufnagle, Lewisburg; Erich R. Doebler, laboratory assistant for forest technology; and Paul M. George, of State College.“While the team didn’t fare as well as last year, the students showed an effort that I have not previously seen,” said G. Andrew Bartholomay, coach and assistant professor of forestry. “In the most rigorous chopping events, two of our team members, Kristin Cavanaugh and Paul George, pushed themselves to near-exhaustion with the vocal support of the crowd and fellow competitors. I couldn’t ask for any more, because they literally gave everything they had. I was moved by their efforts and those of the rest of the team.”

Cavanaugh, of Bellefonte, is enrolled in heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis, and George, of State College, is a forest technology major.

One "shining star" emerged in the Axe Throw category, he said: Abigail L. Hufnagle, a forest technology student from Lewisburg, placed second, defeating competitors from eight other college teams.

“Two thirds of the team are first-year students who only began practicing in September of this year,” Bartholomay said. “Their courage in facing more seasoned teams 650 miles from home is to be commended. It was a pleasure for co-adviser Erich Doebler (laboratory assistant for forest technology) and me to travel with them and help them experience a truly unique sport.”

The fall event is traditionally held in North Carolina’s Cradle of Forestry; Penn College’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center sponsored the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Spring Woodsmen’s Meet in April.

To find out more about the forest technology major in Penn College's School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies, call 570-327-4516.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.