May 21, 2004 12:38 PM CDT

2004 Fastest Trowel Competition

By Colin Faul

The crowds were roaring, the mortar was flying and the towering walls grew before our eyes March 24, 2004 at MCAA?s Annual Fastest Trowel Competition. It was an exciting day for the 18 competitors who had been waiting in suspense for the day to come. 20 minutes, 150 blocks and their masonry craftsmanship was all they had to race and become the 2004 Fastest Trowel champions.

Eighteen contestants and their tenders, consisting of past competitors and a handful of new faces, hit the floor for this year?s contest. The competition, sponsored by SpecMix, pit some of the industry?s best masons to compete and build a wall judged not only on speed and the amount of block laid, but also judged based on level, true and workmanship, voids, production, story and plumb.

After the dust had settled the judges went to work to determine who had the speed and skill to become the 2004 Fastest Trowel Champion. MCAA congratulates:

First Place: Moroni Meja II
Sponsored by Rhino Masonry Inc, Mesa AZ

Second Place: Pascal Robertson
Sponsored by Pascal Robertson Masonry, Apopka FL

Third Place: Ramon Gonzalez
Sponsored by Canyon Rock Masonry, Inc, Flagstaff AZ

Thanks to the volunteers and co-sponsors who helped make this competition a great success! Thanks to:

Sponsor
SpecMix

Co-Sponsors
Lafarge North America, Marshalltown Trowel, Non-Stop Scaffolding, E-Z Grout Corporation, ACME Brick Company, Quikcrete

Contest Judges
JLG Gradall, Multiquip, E-Z Grout, Rinker Materials c/o Acme Brick, Crick Tools and National Lime Association.

Materials and Manpower
Steven Fechino, Brian Carney, Rob Greer, Mackie Bounds, Ron Clough, Alan Griffin, Roy Swindal and the rest of the volunteers who helped make this competition a continued success.

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About the Author

Colin Faul was the Director of Marketing and Director of Professional Development for the Mason Contractors Association of America.