A team of NDSU students had a strong showing in a recent annual event considered the “Olympics of Landscaping.” More than 850 college students from 65 of the nation’s top horticulture and landscape programs competed in the 38th annual Student Career Days hosted March 20-23 at Colorado State University.

The students competed in events directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the green industry, said Todd P. West, associate professor of horticulture at NDSU. The 28 competitive events included arboriculture techniques, landscape plant installation, irrigation installation and plant problem diagnosis.

NDSU’s team, competing in the event for the third time, placed 25 out of the 65 schools. The NDSU team is affiliated with the NDSU Horticulture and Forestry Club.

Students Justin Flynn and Josh Wildt received first place in the wood construction competition and Charles “Kene” Okigbo placed second in a leadership skills event. “It was a great competition for our students,” West said.

The event also offers one of the largest green industry career fairs in the U.S. Students were able to meet prospective industry employers, discuss employment opportunities and network with industry professionals, West said.

Student Career Days is organized by the Professional Landcare Network, a national landscape industry association. For more information, visit www.studentcareerdays.org.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.