March 22, 2006 10:49 AM CST

Masonry Institute of Iowa Fastest Trowel Competition

By Masonry Institute of Iowa

On January 7, the Masonry Institute of Iowa (MII) hosted the 2006 Fastest Trowel at Washington Hall on the Kirkwood Community College campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The competition pitted eight, three-person crews - a bricklayer and two tenders - against the clock. Contestants were graded on how many blocks they set into their wall, as well as the quality of the construction and attention to detail.

Approximately 150 spectators watched and cheered as the eight teams did their best. In the end, Mitch Wieditz of Seedorff Masonry Inc. took top honors, followed closely by Seth Marling of D&R Masonry in second place, and Eric Fanny of Boucher Masonry Contracting in third place.

Other contestants included Jon Michael, Gary Sheer Masonry; Mike Toffee, Boucher Masonry; Ben Duncalf, Boucher Masonry; Craig Gunderson, D&R Masonry; and Haime Guerrero, D&R Masonry. Each contestant received prizes from MII, as well as tools from the Marshalltown Company. The winner will go on to the national competition in March.

Special thanks go to Kirkwood College, Spec Mix, the Marshalltown Company, Star Equipment and the Bricklayers and Laborers Unions for their help and support.

For more information on MII, visit www.masonryinstituteofiowa.org.

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About the Author

The Masonry Institute of Iowa is a masonry association of commercial masonry and Iowa residential masonry companies from Iowa serving the masonry industry. Learn more at www.masonryinstituteofiowa.org.