2004 Fastest Trowel Competition

Words: Brian Carney, Mackie Bounds, Steven Fechino, Rob Greer, Alan Griffin, Roy Swindal, Pascal Robertson, Ron Clough, Moroni II, Ramon GonzalezThe 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:


https://masoncontractors.azurewebsites.net/Public/News/5212004938.gif" width="133" height="145" border="0" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="1"> 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.

The Cornerstone of Success: Safety and Documentation in Masonry
April 2025

The masonry industry plays a vital role in constructing our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Yet, beneath the enduring beauty of brick and stone lies a complex and often hazardous work environment. Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining docu

How It's Made: Natural Stone Veneer
April 2025

Natural stone veneer is a durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing building material that has been used for centuries. It adds timeless beauty to masonry projects while offering structural integrity and resilience. But how does natural stone veneer

Vibing Masonry #5 - The Evolution of Concrete Masonry Units: From Ancient Foundations to Modern Innovations
April 2025

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 18 Recap: Jeff Tew, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Jeff Tew joins the show, along with MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, to talk about where his passion for this industry started and what it's been like working on the Supplier side of the industry. An Excitin