COD Horticulture students showcased their skills at the 50th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), where the team finished third among community colleges and 11th overall out of 54 colleges and universities. 

Twenty-seven COD students competed against more than 700 competitors in 30 events, including landscape design, plant identification and hardscape installation. 

Student Connor Lejman had an impressive showing, finishing third in the Superstar category among all NCLC competitors. 

Students who also finished in the top five include: 

• Abigail Benedict: First place in Maintenance Cost Estimating 

• Christian Gonzalez and Juan Serna: First place in Hardscape Installation 

• Zachery Cline and Connor Lejman: Second place in Landscape Maintenance Operations 

• Olivia Shetterly: Second place in Woody Ornamental Plant Identification 

Team members who contributed to the College’s success include Andrea Chow, Maison Sinkiawic, Matthew Kukla, Thomas Kowal, Shaun Casey, Emmett Legan, Ben Smith, Carlos Popoca, David Trinidad, Shelbie Steward, Kiara Talaber, Cheryl Eden, Eleanor Stenman, Charles Stenman, Klaudia Farmas, Maggie Kurcz, Kelly Walker, Ethan Scalzo, Gabrielle Rhodes, Evelyn Gomez and Dusan Lepojevic. 

At the NCLC, students also had opportunities to network with industry professionals, participate in workshops and attend a career fair. 

Learn more about COD’s Horticulture program.