The MSU Horticulture Club "kicked butt" at a national competition in Mississippi, said club president Dru Bernthal.

MSU was one of the 51 colleges represented in the competition, which included interior landscape design and maintenance equipment operation.

The competition, held March 13-16 at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss., was sponsored by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America and also provided participants with a chance to visit a career fair.

Bernthal said MSU placed first among the Big Ten schools and 10th overall.

Top scorers for MSU were horticulture seniors Charlie Eastman, Chrissy Gajewski, Rebecca Dietrich, Benjamin Lick and Chris Engelbert. Eastman was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Members meet every Wednesday in A-101 Plant and Soil Sciences Building.