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UMD Soil Judgers Take Top Honors at International Competition

Members of the University of Maryland Soil Judging Team Have Continued the School's Competitive Success, this Time on the International Stage

June 12, 2026

Paul Tietz (Univ of Idaho., coach), Cole Chapman (UMD), Holden Mrizek (Virginia Tech), Zie Goodman (UMD), Sinclair Anderson (Virginia Tech), and Gordon Rees (Cal Poly, coach) pose with a "number 1" hand gesture while smiling for the camera.

Environmental Science & Technology’s Zie Goodman and Cole Chapman helped Team USA Stripes capture the World Championship at the 5th International Soil Judging Contest in China.

The championship squad, made up of students from the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech, earned the highest overall score based on both group and individual rounds. Goodman and Chapman also placed among the top 10 competitors individually.

Meet the Soil Judgers