Masonry Magazine May 2006 Page. 30
MCAA Convention Review
Second Year Finalists:
First Place
Jason Thrift, Karon Masonry
Beltsville, Md.
Second Place
Renato Ramirez, Brazos Masonry Inc.,
Waco, Texas
Third Place
Esteban Gonzales, Rhino Masonry
Mesa, Ariz
Third Year Finalists:
First Place
Juan Capitillo, DMG Masonry Inc..
Arlington, Texas
Second Place
Josh Morrison, McGee Brothers
Company Inc., Monroe, N.C
Third Place
Esteban Alarcon, Thomas Masonry.
Valley Center, Calif
All winners received trophies, tool bags and tools, plus first-place winners received $1,000, second-place winners $500, and $250 to third-place winners.
A special thanks to the contest sponsors, who contributed time, materials, labor and/or financial support: Quikrete, Bon Masonry Tools, Buechel Stone Corp., Building Stone Institute, Cemex, Cosella Dorken, EZ Grout Corp., Fraco, Gehl, Lafarge North America, MK Diamond Products Inc., Mortar Net USA Ltd., Non-Stop Scaffolding and Spec Mix Inc.
Fastest Trowel
The Fastest Trowel showcases the skill of the industry's masons and how important teamwork is in accomplishing a final product. The competition pitted the masons against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is to complete as much of an 18-block-long wall as possible. With the 20-minute time limit that is placed on the contestants, they must make split-second decisions based on the judging criteria. Only those masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face off with the industry's best are invited to compete.
The top-placing contestants in this year's competition were:
First Place
Mike Canez
Triple M Masonry Inc., Phoenix
Second Place
Pascal Robertson
Robertson Masonry Inc., Apopka, Fla.
Third Place
Moroni Meja II
Rhino Masonry Inc., Flagstaff, Ariz.
Winners received trophies, plus first place took home $7,000, second place $2,500, and $1,000 to third place.
Many thanks to the contest sponsor, Quikrete, which also provided the mortar and labor for the contest. Also, thanks to the following companies for contributing materials: Bon Masonry Tools, EZ Grout Corp. and Sterling Handling.
Be sure to mark your calendars for this year's MCAA Midyear Meeting at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii, Nov. 8-12, as well as MCAA's 2007 Masonry Showcase in Orlando, Feb. 22-24. See you there!