Cogar Claims Eighth Title as Records Fall at STIHL TIMBERSPORTS

Matt Cogar of Grafton, W. Va., reclaimed his throne in the men's division, navigating six grueling disciplines to finish with a cumulative time of 1:44.75. His victory was hard-fought, coming against a field that saw Mark Bouquin set a national record in the Single Buck at 10.68 seconds. Despite a knee injury sustained mid-competition, Matt Slingerland rounded out the podium, while defending champion Nate Hodges maintained pressure throughout the event.

The women's competition proved equally volatile, as Martha King of Chadds Ford, Pa., captured her third career national title through sheer consistency. King edged out defending champion Erin LaVoie, even as other competitors shattered records around her. Kathryn Witkowski set a new world record in the Single Buck with a 13.68-second run, and Lauren Bergman established a national benchmark in the Standing Block Chop. Earlier in the weekend, Josh Wilson delivered a breakthrough performance in the inaugural U.S. Hot Saw Showdown, securing his first-ever national victory with a series of sub-five-second cuts. Team USA will now prepare for the World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany, scheduled for October 30–31.