Top of the Game: BYU Secures 10th National Landscaping Title

Tucked away within Brigham Young University is a lesser-known but highly accomplished powerhouse.

It’s not one of the university’s sports dynasties or even the BYU Cougarettes, who boast 26 national titles in hip hop and jazz dance.

This celebrated program is BYU’s landscaping team, which earned its 10th championship at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, a yearly contest run by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

This win is the team’s sixth national victory over the past seven years.

For the event, 60 BYU students from the plant and landscape systems program traveled to Colorado State University, where they took part in 30 challenges such as indoor plant ID, landscape upkeep, and technology-driven landscape design and maintenance.

“It’s kind of like a track meet — each person competes in a separate event,” explained Tyler Stewart, a BYU student and one of the group’s leaders. “I did hardscape installation, where we created a patio with a built-in fire pit.”

Just like in athletics, individual event wins earn points that contribute to the school’s final team ranking.

In the end, BYU triumphed over 57 competing universities in the 49th edition of the tournament.

What sets BYU’s landscaping team apart is its student-led structure, unlike other schools where faculty typically take charge.

Roughly ten years ago, BYU professor Greg Jolley realized, “Students often engage better with peers than with professors.”

“These students are the core of what makes the team click,” Jolley said. “They build the chemistry that leads to success.”

McKinsey Flores, another team leader, said part of her role involved leading a class during winter semester, where students got ready for the competition.

“We focused on building connections and exploring career paths available at the competition, while also tracking event prep and guiding students to be ready,” Flores explained.

Jolley noted that the team thrives due to a close collaboration with BYU’s campus grounds crew, who offer hands-on practice and mentorship.

Brigham Young University’s landscaping team celebrates its 10th national championship at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition. | Philippe Nobile, National Association of Landscape Professionals

Beyond trophies, the competition opens doors for students to connect with industry leaders. Before the main events, companies like John Deere and Caterpillar host career fairs and training sessions.

“The competition proves they can execute,” Jolley said. “When companies see a student who stands out during interviews and also performs well in the events, that really boosts their chances for jobs or internships.”

This year, BYU students earned 15 scholarships, including three Platinum Ambassador Awards valued at $2,000 or more.

Jolley also said these victories shine a spotlight on the program and highlight landscaping as a real career path.

“Most people don’t associate landscaping with needing a degree,” Jolley said. “While the actual work relies heavily on labor, our graduates manage that labor and handle client relations.”

Beyond the professional edge, both Stewart and Flores agreed it feels great to bring recognition back to BYU.

“It’s super exciting. So cool that we won — it’s definitely something to take pride in,” Stewart said.

Flores shared the excitement

“It’s awesome to say I’m number one in the country,” she said. “It’s incredibly satisfying when all your hard work during the semester leads to a win.”