COLUMBUS, Ohio— The Ohio Green Industry Association (OGIA) proudly hosted its ninth annual Ohio High School Landscape Olympics on October 10 at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. The dynamic, one-day event brought together over 250 students from 17 Ohio high schools for a hands-on experience aimed at exploring careers in the green industry and connecting with leading professionals.
Throughout the day, over 250 students from 17 schools competed in 20 immersive, hands-on competitions simulating real-world tasks such as landscape installation, equipment operation, irrigation, cost estimating, sales, and more. When not competing, students had the opportunity to network with businesses at a career exploration event, where exhibitors from across the green industry showcased opportunities and offered career guidance.
This year’s event introduced three exciting new competitions: tool identification, chainsaw handling, and mini excavator operation. These additions broadened the scope of the competition and allowed students to demonstrate their expertise and creativity in even more areas of the industry.
The Ohio High School Landscape Olympics also served as a qualifying event for the Ohio SkillsUSA competition in April, offering students a path to further demonstrate their skills on a larger stage. SkillsUSA is a nationwide program dedicated to preparing students for careers by enhancing their technical and professional skills, leadership, and employability.
For a full list of competition results, click here.
Top Teams
- Gold – Upper Valley Career Center
- Silver – Knox County Career Center
- Bronze – Jackson High School
- Fourth – Delaware Area Career Center
- Fifth – A-Tech
Top Ten Individuals
1. Upper Valley Career Center – Palsgrove
2. Upper Valley Career Center – Jutte
3. Westlake High School – Sugaski
4. Knox County Career Center – Auker
5. Jackson High School – Altrichter
6. Marysville – OHP – Ross
7. Knox County Career Center – Beheler
8. Delaware Area Career Center – Goodman
9. Ashland – Cartwright
10. (tie) Delaware Area Career Center – Le
10. (tie) Marysville – OHP – Lehner
Participating Schools
- A-Tech
- Ashland High School
- Buckeye Career Center
- Caldwell High School
- Delaware Area Career Center
- Gates Mills Environmental Education
- Holden CBG
- Jackson High School
- Knox County Career Center
- Lorain County JVS
- Marysville – OHP
- Penta Career Center
- Seneca East Local Schools
- Tolles Career & Technical Center
- Upper Valley Career Center
- Westlake High School
About the Ohio Green Industry Association
OGIA leads, promotes, and facilitates the success and growth of green industry businesses. More than 1,300 members comprise nursery stock growers, garden center operators, landscape contractors, landscape design and grounds maintenance firms, arborists, students enrolled in landscape and horticulture programs in the state and allied suppliers. The association has represented Ohio’s vital green industry for more than 100 years.
— Ohio Green Industry Association (OGIA)
