Sylvans win fifth consecutive Arkansas State Lumberjack Competition, host SFA Lumberjack Games SFA’s timbersports team, the Sylvans, won its fifth consecutive collegiate title at the annual Arkansas State Lumberjack Competition held during Timberfest in Sheridan, Ark. SFA students placed first in the double buck crosscut, single buck crosscut, Jack and Jill crosscut, men’s bowsaw, underhand chop and axe throw. “It matched last year as one of the Sylvans’ most dominant victories in Timberfest competitions,” said Dr. Jeremy Stovall, professor of forestry and Sylvans faculty advisor. Arkansas House of Representatives member Ken Bragg, an SFA alumnus and past Sylvans president, officiated the competition, which was organized by fellow SFA alumnus Karl Hansen, among others. The Sylvans also hosted the Lumberjack Games during SFA’s 2019 Homecoming. Stovall said campuswide lumberjack competitions were held in the past, but they have not taken place for at least a decade. “From what we’ve heard, the original events had pretty diverse participation from all across campus,” Stovall said. “We’re trying to revive that SFA tradition.” Teams of five competed in a range of timbersports, including the axe throw, single and double crosscut sawing, caber toss and tug of war. “A lot of people come to SFA and aren’t sure what it really means to be a lumberjack or don’t know SFA has a timbersports team,” said John Mike Arnett, forestry senior and Sylvans president. “I think it’s a great way to get our names out there and let people experience what it is like to be a lumberjack.” The event served as a fundraiser for the Sylvans to participate in the Southern Forestry Conclave, which was ultimately canceled due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Fall 2020
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