Masonry Magazine April 1997 Page. 17
1st. Place, Education/Government
The Recreation Activities Center, Southwestern University
Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry Inc., Waco, TX
Architect: Bill Rupe, Hastings & Chivetta Architects, St. Louis, MO
1st. Place, Pavers/Retaining/Landscape
Kemper Center for Home Gardening
Mason Contractor: Grant Masonry Contracting Co., Fenton, MO
Architect: Geoffrey Rausch, Environmental Planning & Design, Pittsburgh, PA
Rivas Named Fastest Trowel
The 1997 Fastest Trowel On The Block Competition drew record crowds for the two-day National Competition held Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Local TV stations were also on hand to cover this record breaking competition, along with Bruce Kirk, from CTAR Radio, Phoenix, who was the master of Ceremonies.
A total of 16 contestants, with trowels in hand, set forth to compete and survive an elimination round on Saturday, in which each contest layed standard concrete block along a 24 foot wall for 20 minutes. Each contestant was then judged on craftsmanship, accuracy and speed. Out of the 16, three finalists were then chosen for the final round which took place Sunday.
Mike Rivas of Yocum Masonry from Redland, California, took 1st place in this years competition.
Mike Canez of Top Quality Masonry, Phoenix, Arizona and Rodolfo Ramirez of GBC Concrete & Masonry Construction, Perris, California tied for 2nd place.
Special Thanks
The MCAA would like to congratulate all who participated in the competition:
Steve Borman, Keystone Masonry Inc., Yelm, WA
John C. Harrison, II, D.H. Johnson Company, Villa Park, IL
Mark W. Homberg, J.C. Burgess Masonry, Richmond, VA
Benjamin L. Houghton, Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, IA
Glenn L. Houghton, Sr., Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, Inc.
Glenn L. Houghton, Jr., Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, Inc.
Chuck Pratt, Pratt Masonry, Rupert, ID
Tyler Thornton, Jerry Bennett Masonry, Springfield, MO
Jeff Voss, Voss Masonry, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
John Wischt, George Wischt & Sons, Mogadore, OH
Mike Zimny, Sutter Masonry, Phoenix, AZ
Eddie Greenwall, Complete Masonry, Louisville, KY
Robert Jackson, Bates Masonry, Lodi, CA
We would also like to give special thanks to Davis Colors who sponsored the Fastest Trowel Competition and the following companies who generously supported this event:
EZ Mix
Imer USA, Inc.
Ingersoll-Rand
Marshalltown Trowel
Mighty Equipment
Spec Mix
Superlite Block
Sterling Handling Equipment
more Expo on page 28
MASONRY-MARCH/APRIL 1997 17