Paul Tietz (Univ of Idaho., coach), Cole Chapman (UMD), Holden Mrizek (Virginia Tech), Zie Goodman (UMD), Sinclair Anderson (Virginia Tech), Gordon Rees (Cal Poly, coach)
Image Credit: Elizabeth Eroshenko
Members of the University of Maryland Soil Judging Team have continued the school’s competitive success, this time on the international stage.
Environmental Science & Technology’s Zie Goodman and Cole Chapman helped Team USA Stripes capture the World Championship at the 5th International Soil Judging Contest in China.
The championship squad, made up of students from the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech, earned the highest overall score based on both group and individual rounds. Goodman and Chapman also placed among the top 10 competitors individually.
The competition, featuring 14 nations and 18 teams (4 nations sent two teams, including USA), challenged students to apply their soil science knowledge, combining classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork. Participants described multiple soil pits individually and as teams, assessing characteristics such as texture, color, structure, and human-influenced features.
Beyond the contest itself, students learned about the history of soil science in China, toured one of the world's premier soil museums, and exchanged knowledge with peers from around the globe, strengthening both their field skills and their connections to the international soil science community.
“It was awesome seeing students from around the globe come together to learn, explore Chinese soils, develop professionally, network, and have a lot of fun," said UMD soil judging coach Brian Needelman, who was on the organizing committee of the event, acting as the Chair of the IUSS Soil Judging Working Group. "I am proud of Zie and Cole for their hard work and delighted that they were rewarded with gold medals!”
