The Forestry Sports team from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point returned to competition for the first time since the pandemic at the 69th Midwestern Foresters Conclave on April 11, hosted by Southern Illinois University at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.

UW-Stevens Point placed second overall. Teams from Iowa State, Michigan State, Missouri State, Purdue, the University of Missouri, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale also competed. Southern Illinois won the event, followed by UW-Stevens Point, Missouri, Missouri State, Iowa State, Michigan State, and Purdue.

This year’s return marks a major milestone for the program, which had paused competition during the pandemic. Since then, the team has been revitalized through the support of new forestry professor Artur Stefanski and the dedicated efforts of motivated students who helped rebuild the program and guide their peers back into the regional forestry sports circuit.

The conclave featured more than a dozen forestry and timber sports events testing both physical skill and technical expertise. Events included tree identification, axe throwing, log rolling, underhand chopping, pulp tossing, bolt throwing, knife throwing, DBH estimation, wildlife identification, and sawing contests such as single-buck and double-buck.

UW-Stevens Point athletes earned numerous podium finishes.

In sawing events, Nick Williams placed third in both men’s single buck and men’s knife throw. Jesse Huckstep and Jason Bartlet finished third in men’s double buck, while Katie Vogt and Hunter Bahl took third in Jack and Jill double buck.

Vogt led the women’s division, winning women’s single buck and placing second in women’s double buck.

In team events, Bahl and Michael Steinhoff won men’s log roll. Luke Endris, Gunnar Westenmeyer, Jason Bartlett and Cullen White placed second in men’s pulp toss. White also finished third in men’s bolt throw, and Steinhoff took second in match split.

In technical forestry events, Bartlet placed third in DBH estimation, and Merrek Kowalski won wildlife identification.

Beyond competition results, the conclave offered students valuable academic and professional benefits. Many events mirror real-world forestry skills—such as tree identification, DBH estimation, and wildlife knowledge—allowing students to apply classroom learning in a hands-on, high-pressure environment. The experience also strengthens teamwork, problem‑solving, field readiness, and professional networking, while fostering new friendships, all essential skills for careers in natural resources.

With strong results across disciplines, UW-Stevens Point secured second place overall, an impressive achievement marking the program’s successful return to competition.

The team’s performance highlights the program’s renewed momentum and UW-Stevens Point’s commitment to preparing students academically and professionally. By excelling in both technical forestry knowledge and traditional timber sports, students are building the skills, confidence, and experience that will carry them into future leadership roles in the field.