More than 275 students from 33 universities across the U.S. and Canada competed in the 32nd annual Turf Bowl at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. Photo by Montana Pritchard
Penn State University’s Team three took the top spot as students from 33 universities from across the U.S. and Canada gathered in Orlando at the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show for the 32nd annual Turf Bowl. Winners were announced at the Closing Session this afternoon.
The winning team included Wilson D. Kreitz, Joseph E. Lofland, Carter Marshall and Jacob W. Straw. The team’s adviser is Ben McGraw, Ph.D.
This was the second year in a row that a Penn State team took first place and the second year that Lofland was on the winning team. The first-place team received $15,000 from sponsor John Deere, a big increase from the $4,000 top prize last year. Penn State captured three of the top 10 spots in the 79-team competition.
Second place went to Iowa State University Team 13, winning $12,000, with members Logan McDonough, Quinn Leland, Cooper Hastings and Matthew Hanten. Adviser is Adam Thoms, Ph.D.
Purdue University’s Team 50 placed third, winning $10,000, with members J. Otto Hoehl, Gavin Kenning, Abe Tebbe and William Mahan. Adviser is Cale Bigelow, Ph.D.
The 79 teams included more than 275 participants. Penn State University also won the competition in 2023, with Purdue taking first place in 2024, 2022 and 2021.
Other results:
- Fourth: University of Maryland Team 54, Sam Burke, Owen Scott, Carson Thomas, Eli Johnson. Adviser Geoff Rinehart.
- Fifth: Texas A&M University Team 60, Teagan Lurwick, Collin Chase, Jackson Dillard, Kaz McBride. Adviser Ben Wherley, Ph.D.
- Sixth: University of Massachusetts Team 18, Nathan Doherty, David Newsome, Jett Giza, Andrew Barrett. Adviser Marvin Seaman.
- Seventh: Penn State University Team 4, Jaime Canal Campos, Michael A. Chaloupka, Ernesto Martinez, Timothy J. McGrane. Adviser Ben McGraw, Ph.D.
- Eighth: University of Guelph Team 29, Kyle Trumper, Nolan Guertin, Mackenzie Scott, Dylan Christensen. Adviser Cameron Shaw.
- Ninth: Cal Poly Pomona Team 23, Magdaleno Basilio, Joel Torres, Jaxx Curiel. Adviser Sean McLaughlin.
- Tenth: Penn State University Team 5, Christina Bender, Tyler Bechtel, George Jacob Blewitt, Augustus F. Holt. Adviser Ben McGraw, Ph.D.
The competition was presented in partnership with John Deere.
Students identified turf, weed, insect samples and turfgrass disease in multiple-choice and sample-identification formats.
Turf Bowl facilitators were Gwen Stahnke, Ph.D., retired director of turf management at Walla Walla Community College and adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Leah Brilman, Ph.D., director of Turfgrass Product Management and Technical Services-DLF.
Darrell J. Pehr is science editor for GCM magazine