Van Auken Fifth at Timbersports Finals

RFH 2010, Featured Articles, News

Sun, Aug 28, 2011

HCS grad Schuyler Van Auken today competed in the top lumberjack skills test in the country.

HCS grad and Hamilton resident Schuyler Van Auken finished tied for fifth in the collegiate division of the Stihl Timbersports Championship at the Oregon State Fair in Salem today. He tied with Andrew Gollnick from University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.

Van Auken, a student at Paul Smith's College, was the northeast qualifier.

The six competitors faced four different events in the collegiate championship:

Underhand Chop - The competitor stands, feet apart, on a 12"-14" log. At the signal, he begins chopping through the log. Before chopping all the way through he must turn and complete the cut from the other side. Time ends when the log is severed completely.
Stock Saw - Competitors begin with both hands on the log. When the signal is given, the sawyers, using identical STIHL professional MS660 chain saws, make two cuts through identical logs. No more than 4" of wood, which is marked by a black line, can be cut.
Standing Block Chop - Competitors race to chop through 12"-14" of white pine. The competitor must chop from both sides of the log and the time ends when the block is severed.
Single Buck - Competitors make one cut through 18"-20" of white pine using a single man cross cut saw. The competitor may have a helper to wedge the log and keep the saw lubricated. Time ends when the block is clearly severed.

Van Auken finished: