Martinez named 2016 Fastest Trowel

Words: Bryan Althammer, Larry Vacala, Donald McCauley, Robert Collins, Jim Zuidema, Dave Endres, Adam Jacob, Jack Ross, Phillip Samblanet, Steve Sianez, Arcadio Armenta, Moroni Mejia, Jose Soto, Israel Mendoza, Heriberto Estrada, Guadalupe Aragon, Jose MartinezThe annual Fastest Trowel on the Block competition, held February 3, 2016 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:

First Place

Jose Noe Martinez

Stone Cold Masonry
Phoenix

Tender: Heriberto Estrada
Block Count: 116

This is the first time Jose Noe Martinez has competed in the MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

Second Place

Jose Soto

Sargon Masonry
Phoenix

Tender: Israel Mendoza
Block Count: 119

This is the first time Jose Soto has competed in the MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

Third Place

Arcadio Armenta
Sutter Masonry, Inc.
El Mirage, Ariz.

Tender: Guadalupe Aragon
Block Count: 113

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 and 2015 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions.

Winners were presented with trophies, plus first place took home $8,000, a special trophy from Marshalltown, and a 10-pack of mortar boards from GATORBACK; 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 Marshalltown tool bag and tools, a gift certificate from STIHL, and additional prizes. All contestants received a level from competition sponsor Stabila.

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
  • Bryan Althammer, Airplaco Equipment Company; Cincinnati
  • Robert Collins, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4 CA; Arcadia, Calif.
  • Dave Endres, Superlite Block, Inc.; Phoenix
  • Adam Jacob, Jacob Masonry Contractors; Cleves, Ohio
  • Don McCauley, Hunt Country Masonry Inc.; Leesburg, Va.
  • Jack Ross, AZ Best Block; Phoenix
  • Phillip Samblanet, The Masonry Society; Longmont, Colo.
  • Steve Sianez, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4 CA; Arcadia, Calif.
  • Larry Vacala, Restore Masonry, LLC; Chicago
  • Jim Zuidema, Jimmy’Z Masonry Corp.; Crystal Lake, Ill.
The MCAA would also like to thank the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and Stabila for sponsoring the 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 Sponsors

  • National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)
  • Stabila

Contributors

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

Prize Donations

  • GATORBACK, Inc.
  • Marshalltown Company
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.
  • Stabila
  • STIHL

MCAA Strategic Partners

  • Airplaco Equipment Company
  • Dow Building Solutions
  • Echelon
  • EZ Grout Corporation
  • Fraco Products, Ltd.
  • iQ Power Tools
  • Kennison Forest Products, Inc.
  • Mortar Net Solutions
  • Non-Stop Scaffolding
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.
  • Stabila
  • 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 2017 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2017 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.
About: Featured
Echelon Masonry Introduces Ashton Brick, Its Latest Line of Artisan Masonry Veneers
April 2025

Echelon Masonry, North America’s leader in architectural masonry products and materials, announces the availability of its newest product line of artisan masonry veneers, Ashton Brick, in select states. Combining a classic brick aesthetic with durable con

Hilari Barton
Read More
MCAA Showcases Innovation at North Florida Masonry Showcase
April 2025

On Friday, April 11th, we had the pleasure of representing the Mason Contractors Association of America and our Outreach and Education Division at the North Florida Masonry Showcase. This event welcomed 15 high school students who demonstrated their growi

Conner Birdsong
Featured
Read More
Thank You For Bidding In The 2025 Online Auction
April 2025

The MCAA extends a huge thank you to everyone who bid in this year’s online auction. With hundreds of bids on over 150 items, this year’s auction was another huge success. We also want to thank all of our amazing donors who put items up for auction. Wit

Justin Stengel
Read More
Preparing Masonry Jobsites for Summer Weather
April 2025

Spring is in the air, and summer is right around the corner. With that in mind, it’s time for all of us in the masonry industry to start preparing for warmer weather. It is very important that we consider the risks associated with working in the summer he

Macy Williams
Featured
Commercial Masonry Heaters Safety Training
Read More