2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge

Winners of the 2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge.

The tenth annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at the 2009 MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry on February 3, 2009 showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Contestants in first, second and third year skill levels throughout the country came to compete.

Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project based on the materials provided. The final projects looked great; the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and were tasked with the tough decision of choosing the winners.

The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:

Yuvini Funes Ramero, 2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.

First Year Apprentices

First Place

Yuvini Funes Ramero
United Masonry, Inc.
Alexandria, VA

Second Place

Juan Cazares
P & S Masonry, Inc.
Hamilton, TX

Third Place

Jesus Castaneda
R & R Masonry, Inc.
Hollywood, CA

Mike Momeyer, 2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.

Mike Momeyer, 2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.

Second Year Apprentices

First Place

Mike Momeyer
Huff & Sons Construction
Scottsdale, AZ

Second Place

Nick Sapp
Adams Masonry
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place

Marcelo Lopez
Pengilly Masonry, Inc.
Stockton, CA

Alvaro Landaverde, 2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.

Alvaro Landaverde, 2009 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.

Third Year Apprentices

First Place

Alvaro Landaverde
Sutter Masonry
El Mirage, AZ

Second Place

Wielman Gasper
Gentry & Painter, Inc.
Chattanooga, TN

Third Place

Ryan R. Stone
Rick Stone Masonry, Inc.
Helotes, TX

All winners were presented with trophies, plus first place winners took home $1,000, second place winners received $500 and $250 was awarded to third-place winners. All contestants were provided with a Marshalltown tool bag.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise and the sponsors and service/material donors for their contributions including:

Convention Partners

Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Mortar Net USA, Ltd.
QUIKRETE

Competition Gold Sponsors

EZ Scaffold
Non-Stop Scaffolding
SPEC MIX

Skills Challenge Sponsor

Lafarge North America, Inc.

Competition Donor Sponsors

Tradesmen's Software, Inc.
South Atlantic Lintels

Material and Service Sponsors

Angelus Block Co.
Crick Tool
EZ Grout Corporation
GATORBACK
Marshalltown
MK Diamond Products, Inc.
Wasco, Inc.