MSU lumberjack team chops the competition

There are a number of club sports teams operating at MSU for students looking for a way to compete and unwind through an athletic outlet. More conventional options include baseball, soccer, rugby, swimming, and the like. But there are those that fall outside of the ordinary, like the Big Sky Timbersports team. 

Timbersports has been growing in popularity in recent years all over the country, but many still don’t know exactly what it is, or what the Big Sky team is all about.

Jake Torstenson, co-president of Big Sky Timbersports said,“traditional lumberjack competitions, it’s a lot of chopping wood, splitting wood, some saws and chainsaws. Lots of really fun things out here.” 

Torstenson has been involved with timbersports since he was ten years old, when he would help out with the world championship competition held annually in his hometown of Hayward, Wisconsin. 

“It’s the same reason why people enjoy working out. It’s a mental break from school. We’re throwing an ax, we’re throwing a piece of wood - just doing something physical that you actually see the results of besides just lifting weights again and again,” Torstenson said.  

Torstenson hopes to share that passion with others. “We want to give people that experience. A lot of people have never touched an ax or a chainsaw, and we’re giving them some practical skills they can go and use.”

“I really like being outside, it’s a nice break from being inside all day. I also really like playing with motors and chainsaws,” said Club President Jamie Parsons.

Torstenson emphasized that a background in the sport is not necessary to become a part of the timbersports realm. “People find us at Catapalooza, and they think what we’re doing is cool. Then they come out to a practice and realize, ‘Man, this is cool’,” Torstenson said. 

Torstenson indicated that their recent recruiting efforts have been successful. “We have a lot of freshmen and new people who are really energetic about doing the competitions.”

The team typically competes in several events throughout the year. Parsons spoke highly of the atmosphere at timbersports events. “What I love most about timbersports is the camaraderie between teams at competitions. Last year, we went to the big competition in Missoula and everyone was cheering everyone on and everyone was super happy to be there. It was competitive obviously, but everyone was really supportive. I see that in the sport as a whole,” Parsons said. 

College is the time to put yourself out there and do the things that you wouldn’t otherwise do. Clubs such as timbersports provide a space for that exploration and discovery for students to pick up new passions or continue pursuing old ones. 

Anyone interested in timbersports can reach out to the team on Instagram: @bigskytimbersports