STILLWATER, Okla. –The Oklahoma State University Linnaean Games team took first place honors at the Linnaean Games at the Southwest Branch of the Entomological Society of American Meetings held mid-April in Austin, Texas.

The Linnaean Games is a college quiz-bowl style competition about insect trivia. Each team is composed of four members. At the Southwest Branch competition, four teams competed in a double-elimination tournament. The ESA is composed of six branches, with two teams qualifying for nationals from each branch. OSU will represent the Southwest Branch at nationals in Denver, Colorado, in November.

“It was really exciting to win the competition,” said Wyatt Hoback, OSU Linnaean Games team coach and assistant professor in entomology and plant pathology. “The students practice at lunch once a week and spend a lot of time reading about insects. They work really hard and it was great to see them be successful.”

OSU team members are graduate students in the department of entomology and plant pathology. Winning team members include Kyle Risser, Tracy Payton-Miller, David Bradt and Sulochana Paudyla.

OSU students and faculty also took home eight individual awards at the meetings. Individual awards are as follows:

Undergraduate posters
1^st place: Justin Turner
2^nd place: Riley Wilson
3^rd place: Thomas Hess

Undergraduate oral presentations
1^st place: Victoria Pickens

Masters poster
1^st place: Dan St. Aubin

Masters oral presentation
1^st place: Jacob Farriester

PhD oral presentation
2^nd place: Tracey Payton-Miller

Southwest Branch ESA Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching
Wyatt Hoback

Southwest ESA 2017 President
Justin Talley

The OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources believes in the value of hands-on education and the importance of having a well-rounded student experience. The college’s award-winning faculty members are dedicated to developing students and passionate about adding value to the total educational experience.  With 16 majors and 59 study options, plus more than 60 student organizations, CASNR is committed to expanding minds and inspiring purpose. Learn more at casnr.okstate.edu.

###

REPORTER: Kate Garvie

MEDIA CONTACT:
Melissa Mourer
Communications Coordinator
Agricultural Communications Services
144 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-3737
Fax: 405-744-5739
Email: melissa.mourer@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating: Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.