Mont Alto Woodsmen’s team takes first place at intercollegiate meet

ASHEVILLE, Nc. - The Penn State Mont Alto Woodsmen's Team took the top spot in the 35th Annual John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen's Meet earlier this month.

The Mont Alto Team finished in first place overall with a total of 109 points the weekend of Oct. 3-5, nearly doubling the 63 points of West Virginia University's team.

"The team is made up of students who are hardworking and supportive of the team and its goals," said Dani Gebler, who served as president of the team last year and had a first place finish in this year's meet. "I wouldn't want to have the 'Penn State experience' anywhere else but here at Mont Alto."

The Mont Alto Woodsmen's Team also took first place in the competition the last time it was held, in 2023. The devastating effects of Hurricane Helene forced the cancellation of the 2024 meet.

This year's victory is just the latest success for the Mont Alto Woodsmen's Team, said Alex Storm, program coordinator for the Associate Forest Technology Program at Penn State Mont Alto.

"The Woodsmen's team has been an Intercollegiate Team for over 60 years, but the history of competitive woodsmen's events at Mont Alto dates back to at least 1933, when the first Annual Field Day was held on Campus," Storm said.

Penn State Mont Alto has a long history with the Biltmore Forest School, where the Intercollegiate Woodmen's Meet is held. The first director of the Pennsylvania Forestry Academy (which would later become Penn State Mont Alto) was George Wirt, who was one of the first graduates from the Biltmore Forest School.

That forestry legacy is still being felt by students today.

"This team has given me friendships and memories that will last forever," said Calvin Wagner, who served as team captain.

In addition to the team win, multiple students took home prizes in individual categories.

"The students fed on each other's top performances, and as a team made very few mistakes, which ultimately was a recipe for success," Storm said. "Most of the Mont Alto team members are second year students, and we take a lot of pride in winning an event where most of the other teams are from universities with four-year forestry programs."

1st Place finishes

• Dendrology - Garrett Worth, Joe Vogelsong
• Team Log Roll - Mikaela Mummert, Nathan Susko, Garrett Worth, Joe Vogelsong
• Team Waterboil - Jack Minnick, Mason Roessner
• Pole Fell - Mason Roessner, Calvin Wagner
• Men's Underhand Chop - Calvin Wagner
• Men's Standing Block - Calvin Wagner
• Jack and Jill Crosscut - Dani Gebler, Sam Watts
• Men's Pole Climb - Calvin Wagner
• Women's Bolt Split - Dani Gebler

2nd Place finishes

• Team Pulp Toss - Keisha Lopez-Paredes, Nathan Susko, Garrett Worth, Joe Vogelsong, Mason Roessner, Jack Minnick
• Orienteering - Sam Watts
• Women's Crosscut - Mikaela Mummert, Dani Gebler
• Men's Crosscut - Garret Worth, Sam Watts
• Women's Pole Climb - Dani Gebler
• Women's Stock Saw - Mikaela Mummert
• Men's Singlebuck - Sam Watts

3rd Place finishes

• Women's Axe Throw - Keisha Lopez-Paredes
• Men's Bolt Split - Garrett Worth
• Women's Single Buck - Keisha Lopez-Paredes