University of Idaho Looks To Defend National Title

For the 4th year in a row, University of Idaho won the Northwest Regional Soil Judging Contest.  This marks the longest streak in the Northwest region since 1992 when Oregon State University had won the contest six consecutive times.

The top three teams from the regional (Idaho, Colorado State & Utah State), now advance to the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest in Raleigh, NC.  The U of I team will look to defend its title as national champions, having won the 2025 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest in Wisconsin earlier this year.

In addition to placing first in the group judging event, all six U of I judges placed in the top half of participants in individual judging.  This year's team include:

• Tegan Macy, a senior crop science major from Culver, OR, placed first in individual judging
• Sky Reinhardt, a senior agricultural systems management major from Bonners Ferry, ID, tied for second place in individual judging
• Connor Bryant, a senior rangeland ecology and management major from Tucson, AZ, placed sixth in individual judging.
• Isaac Bestebreur, a senior rangeland ecology and management major from Prosser, WA
• Logan Mann, a senior environmental soil science and chemistry double major from Littleton, CO
• Daniel Middelhoven, a junior crop management major from Nampa, ID 

The team is coached by Paul Tietz, MaryBeth Gavin and Nabila Wildman. Robert Heinse, head of the Department of Soil and Water Systems, is the advisor.

The regional competition, October 23rd-25th in Grand Junction, CO, included two practice days and a day of competition, during which students worked together to complete a soil description. Participants were asked to assess the texture, color, structure, wetness indicators and other soil properties; identify hydrologic, geologic and agronomic properties of soil including suitability for peach growth; assign a taxonomic classification of the soil; and interpret practical uses for the soil. Students’ assessments were graded against keys written by local soil professionals.

The University of Idaho Soil Judging team relies on Donations to help with travel expenses and other costs of participating in competitions.

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