---
title: Terps Dig Deep for Close Win at National Soil-Judging Championship
date: 2023-04-05T13:00:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/terps-dig-deep-for-close-win-at-national-soil-judging-championship"
section: Articles
---
# Terps Dig Deep for Close Win at National Soil-Judging Championship

*April 5, 2023* — by [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Staff](/author/college-of-agriculture-and-natural-resources-staff)


> In Test of Knowledge and Grit, UMD Secures Fourth Recent Title

*SJ Victory photo 1920x1080 — The Terp soil judging team hoists the championship trophy after winning the National Collegiate Soils Contest on Friday. Below, the team members work in a pit as part of the competition hosted by Oklahoma State University.*

The University of Maryland beat out 22 other colleges and universities from around the country to take home the top prize in the National Collegiate Soils Contest at Oklahoma State University on Friday, marking the fourth Terp victory in the event in nine years, and sixth title overall.

Held in a different state each year, the soil-judging competition tests students’ ability to accurately describe the characteristics of various layers of soil in a 5-foot-deep pit. Contestants are given an hour in the hole to assess the color, consistency and constituent elements like sand, clay and organic matter, and then describe various properties such as the ability of the soil to transmit and retain water and support roots; they also describe the geological history of the site, assign a classification to the soil and assess potential challenges like building a home on it.

After dominating the Northeast regional contest last October in Benton, Pa., the UMD team entered the nationals in Woodward, Okla., expecting a tough challenge from teams with more national experience. And the scores were exceptionally close, with the Terps beating out California Polytechnic State University by a razor-slim margin of 2428-2422.


*students test soil in pit*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Academic Competitions](https://today.umd.edu/topic/academic-competitions), [Environmental Science and Technology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/environmental-science-and-technology), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-agriculture-and-natural-resources)