Armenta named 2015 Fastest Trowel

Words: Greg Althammer, Larry Vacala, Donald McCauley, Dave Jaykins, Jack Ross, Steve Sianez, Arcadio Armenta, Moroni Mejia, Alvaro Landaverde, Guadalupe Aragon, Irvin Willoughby, Lawrence Singleton, Heriberto SalazarThe annual Fastest Trowel on the Block competition, held February 4, 2015 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, drew a big audience to catch the fastest twenty minutes in masonry and see who would win the $8,000 grand prize.

The contest pit journeyman masons, accompanied by their favorite tender, against one another in a show of speed. Each contestant’s goal was to complete as much of a 30-foot long wall as possible, using 8”x8”x16” CMU and the provided mortar in a twenty minute heat. But speed alone won’t net the $8,000 check for first place. Contestants were also judged on craftsmanship, and use of normal masonry practices and hand tools.

Each mason worked quickly to build a quality wall, while the crowd cheered them on throughout the twenty minute competition. After the judges completed their scoring, the results were announced.

The top-placing contestants in this year’s competition were:

2015 Fastest Trowel on the Block, First Place - Arcadio Armenta
2015 Fastest Trowel on the Block, First Place - Arcadio Armenta

First Place

Arcadio Armenta

Sutter Masonry, Inc.
El Mirage, Ariz.

Tender: Guadalupe Aragon
Block Count: 119

Arcadio Armenta received his first job in the masonry industry twenty years ago as a tender and worked his way up. He also placed first in the 2013 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

2015 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Second Place - Alvaro Landaverde
2015 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Second Place - Alvaro Landaverde

Second Place

Alvaro Landaverde

Sutter Masonry, Inc.
El Mirage, Ariz.

Tender: Heriberto Salazar
Block Count: 116

This is the first time Alvaro Landaverde has placed in the MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

2015 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Third Place - Irvin Willoughby
2015 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Third Place - Irvin Willoughby

Third Place

Irvin Willoughby

Pascal Robertson Masonry, Inc.
Sorrento, Fla.

Tender: Lawrence Singleton
Block Count: 130

Irvin Willoughby won the 2014 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

Winners were presented with trophies, plus first place took home $8,000 and a special trophy from Marshalltown, second place received $2,500, and $1,500 was awarded to third place. Cash prizes were provided by SPEC MIX, Inc. All winners received a grout scoop from GROUT GRUNT, a Marshalltown tool bag and tools, a gift certificate from STIHL, and additional prizes.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise:
  • Moroni Mejia, Trenwyth; Phoenix
  • Greg Althammer, Airplaco Equipment Company; Cincinnati
  • Dave Jaykins, AZ Best Block; Phoenix
  • Don McCauley, Hunt Country Masonry Inc.; Leesburg, Va.
  • Jack Ross, AZ Best Block; Phoenix
  • Larry Vacala, Restore Masonry, LLC; Chicago
  • Steve Sianez, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4 CA; Arcadia, Calif.
The MCAA would also like to thank the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) for sponsoring the 2015 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition, and give a special thank you to the sponsors and service/material donors for their contributions including:

Competition Sponsor

  • National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)

Contributors

  • AZ Best Block
  • GATORBACK, Inc.
  • QUIKRETE
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.

Prize Donations

  • GROUT GRUNT
  • Marshalltown Company
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.
  • STIHL

MCAA Strategic Partners

  • Airplaco Equipment Company
  • Big River Industries, Inc.
  • Dow Building Solutions
  • EZ Grout Corporation
  • iQ Power Tools
  • Kennison Forest Products, Inc.
  • Mortar Net Solutions
  • Non-Stop Scaffolding
  • Oldcastle Building Products
  • QUIKRETE
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.
  • Trademen’s Software, Inc.

About the MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block

The Fastest Trowel on the Block is hosted annually by the MCAA as part of MASONRY MADNESS™ during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas. The competition is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry’s workforce.

The 2016 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2016 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.

For more information about the competition and to register, please visit www.fastesttrowel.com.
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