The University of Missouri Collegiate Landscaping Team received 15th place out of 54 schools attending the National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Colorado State University, March 19-22.

Over 700 hundred students attended the conference and competed in multiple events. Mizzou’s team grew from seven students participating in eight different events in 2024, to 15 students participating in 25 different events in 2025. The team included Will Hanson, Brett Montgomery, Grace Siegel, Alexie Walker, Cole Politte, Elizabeth Corrie, Samantha Sheely, Marissa Brown, Khader Saleh, Paiton Stevens, Cailey Blackmer, Ennis Childs, Ben Walter, Nancy Brush, Justin Post. Mizzou students achieved several top15 placements:

• Will Hanson (senior, plant sciences) and Brett Montgomery (senior, plant sciences), 2^nd in Landscape Maintenance Operations
• Will Hanson, 2^nd in Mini Track Loader Operation
• Ben Walter (sophomore, plant sciences), 4^th in Sales Presentation
• Elizabeth Corrie (freshman, plant sciences), 5^th in Computer Aided Landscape Design
• Cole Polittle (senior, plant sciences), 8^th in Robotics and Technology in Landscape Design and Maintenance
• Grace Siegel (junior, plant sciences), 8^th in 3D Exterior Landscape Design; 13^th in Annual and Perennial ID
• Alexie Walker (senior, plant sciences), 9^th in Business Management and 7^th in Exterior Landscape Design
• Cailey Blackmer (junior, plant sciences), 7^th in Interior Plant Identification; 11^th in Interior Landscape Design
• Paiton Stevens (senior, plant sciences) and Ben Walter (sophomore, plant sciences), 7^th in Safety First
• Ennis Childs (senior, plant sciences), 9^th in Turf and Weed Identification; 15^th in Woody Plant Identification
• Justin Post (junior, mechanical engineering), 10^th in Irrigation Design

Additionally, Tim Moloney, instructor in the Division of Plant Sciences and Technology and team coach, was selected to serve on the NCLC Faculty Committee for a three-year appointment.

“I am excited about this opportunity for both our program and our students,” said Moloney. “Returning to compete in the NCLC each year is a priority.  We would like to thank CAFNR, the Division of Plant Science and Technology, Plant Science Faculty, and sponsors Helmi’s Gardens and Columbia Landcare for making this experience possible for our students.”