CONFERENCE RECAP
SPORTSFIELD MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE RISING STAR AWARDS Winners of the 2025 SportsField Management magazine Rising Star Awards were also recognized during the awards banquet. These awards highlight the best upand-coming leaders in the sports field management industry. 2025 Rising Stars who were in attendance received their awards and joined SportsField Management magazine Associate Publisher John Kmitta( above center) on stage for a photo opportunity. The 2025 Rising Star Award winners are C. J. Buck, Harrell’ s( far left); Justin Danelutt, City of Oxford, Alabama( second from left); Marcus Elswick, University of Kentucky Athletics( second from right); Mira Adamek, KC Current( far right); and Gage Knudson, Los Angles Football Club( not pictured).
NTSI photos provided by SFMA
Photo by Mark Skalny
NATIONAL TURFGRASS SCIENCE INVITATIONAL During SFMA Conference, the National Turfgrass Science Invitational( NTSI) was held in conjunction with the national FFA competition at Texas Christian University. The event brought together 18 teams representing 72 students from 9 states for a comprehensive evaluation of technical turfgrass knowledge, practical skills, and industry readiness.
Participants engaged in hands-on technical stations, certification testing, facility tours, and professional development opportunities designed to connect classroom learning with real-world sports field and turf management practices.
The certification exam, delivered in partnership with iCEV, served as the written component of the competition and provided measurable benchmarking of technical competency.
NTSI RESULTS *:
Overall Individual Winner: With a score of 1107.685, Boston Lawrence from Wellington FFA.
Overall Team Champion: With a score of 4289.27, Wellington FFA( Wellington, Kansas)— Boston Lawrence, Ava Bales, Lily Morningstar and Rogan Wetta.
Second Place Team: With a score of 4076.28, Avery County FFA( Newland, North Carolina)— Aaron King, Deacon Holltsclaw, Eli Church and Finley Trivett.
Third Place Team: With a score of 3989.94, Gila Ridge FFA Team 1( Yuma, Arizona)— Gage Sullivan, Trent Karvoski, Gavin Schreiber and Blake Johnson.
* Certified results from Event Superintendent: Carson Nesbella, Ph. D.
30 SportsField Management | March 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com