Haywood Lumberjack Team Wins Cradle of Forestry Competition!

Competition was fierce and the tournament came down to the wire, but the 'Lumberjack Team' from Haywood Community Collge prevailed in the 11th Annual Woodsmen's Meet held at the Cradle of Forestry in America during Forest Festival Day on October 7. This year, 5 colleges competed in the intercollegiate woodsmen's meet sponsored by Stihl Chainsaws, Hemlock Healers, Columbia Carolina Wood Products, and the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association.


Haywood went up against Penn State University at Mont Alto, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College from West Virginia, and Montgomery Community College from Troy, North Carolina. Following a record-breaking 390-10 win over Dabney-Lancaster in the Forestry Quiz Bowl event, Haywood finished at the top in the archery, dendrology, men's crosscut saw, and men's chainsaw events. Haywood also made strong showings in the axe throw, pole climb, women's cross cut, and Jack-and-Jill cross cut events. Over 2,400 spectators attended the event which was graced with beautiful fall weather and color.

The day kicked off at 6:00AM with a traditional and hearty 'lumberjack breakfast' prepared by HCC blacksmithing instructor David Burnette.


HCC's new natural resources instructor Chris Graves took a shift on 'porridge duty'.


Throughout the day, Natural Resource Division faculty, staff, (and their relatives!) manned stopwatches, kept scores, set up events, and kept the competition moving smoothly.

HCC President Dr. Rose Johnson and Montgomery Community College's President cheered on their teams women's horizontal speed-chop competitors.


Pulp and Paper Technology Instructor, WC Godfrey, and sons take a well-deserved break from timing competitors.