MCAA’S FASTEST TROWEL ON THE BLOCK

The Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, hosted by the Mason Contractors Association of America, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry's workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face-off with the industry's best are invited to compete. This is a contest that also proves how important teamwork is in accomplishing a final product.

The competition will pit journeyman masons, accompanied by their favorite tender, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is 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. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools.

The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promoting the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce. This contest also rewards and highlights the country's best mason journeymen for their hard work and dedication to the trade.

MCAA’S MASONRY SKILLS CHALLENGE

The Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second and third year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. The exciting competition spotlights our industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.

Contestants are divided by experience level, 'First Years' who are just entering the trade through 'Third Years' who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how.

The catch? The projects are a complete surprise!

Contestants must build their project without ever having seen the drawings. They haven't been able to practice, and they can't consult their instructor, employer or anyone else during the competition. They have three hours to complete their projects with the given materials.

Awards are presented to the top three apprentices in each skill level.

2025 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Gerardo Patlan

Vulcan Fence LLC
Laveen AZ

Tender: Robert Patlan
Blocks: 133

Roberto Cimental

JG Block CO
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Mark Diaz
Blocks: 138

Luis Felipe Centeno

Sargon Masonry Construction, LLC
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Adrian Centeno
Blocks: 134

2025 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Michael McKee
Level: 1
Foti Contracting
Norton OH



Cade Thixton
Level: 1
John Smith Masonry
Rolla MO



Jared Slocum II
Level: 1
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
Columbus IN



Mason Ridenhour
Level: 2
Ridenhour Masonry
Rockwell NC



Eon Spears
Level: 2
Leidal & Hart
Jackson OH



Matthew Mccarty
Level: 2
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #2NY/VT
Fulton NY



Alec Huntley
Level: 3
Huntley Brothers Company, Inc.
Monroe NC



Kyle Blower
Level: 3
LGBlower
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK



Andrew Huff
Level: 3
Mason Contractors Associaton of Western Pennsylvania
Connellsville PA



2024 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Roberto Cimental

JG Block Co
Glendale AZ

Tender: Mark Diaz
Blocks: 138

Lwdin Sandoval

Sargon Masonry Construction, LLC
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Edgar Nieto
Blocks: 123

Luis Centeno

Sargon Masonry Construction, LLC
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Adrian Centeno o'hara
Blocks: 128

2024 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Lorenzo Gonzalez
Level: 1
Baker Construction
Whitmore Lake MI



Isaac Sanders
Level: 1
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
Fort Wayne IN



Leslie Manning
Level: 1
Masonry Builders Inc
Tampa FL



Cade Huntley
Level: 2
Huntley Brothers Co Inc
Monroe NC



Tyler Lord
Level: 2
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
Reynolds IN



Scott Schooley
Level: 2
Metropolitan Builders, Inc.
Lorain OH



Wade Schneider
Level: 3
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
Merrillville IN



John Synek
Level: 3
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #2NY/VT
Forestport NY



Ramiro Cruz Arvizu
Level: 3
Manning Masonry, Inc.
Williamston NC



2023 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
phoenix AZ

Tender: Roberto Patlan
Blocks: 135

Roberto Cimental

JG Block CO
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Mark Diaz
Blocks: 129

Noe Martinez

Stone Cold Masonry
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Noe Martinez
Blocks: 126

2023 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Melvin Marroquin
Level: 1
Michigan BAC Training Center - Local 2
Detroit MI



Connor Murphy
Level: 1
RB Weatherman Masonry
Tulsa OK



Maurice Stringer
Level: 1
WaveCrest Masonry, Inc.
Inverness FL



Ryan Newton
Level: 2
Lampkin Masonry
Ballwin MO



John Synek
Level: 2
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #2NY/VT
Forestport NY



Jacob Horton
Level: 2
Wasco/Knox-BAC8SE
Tazewell TN



Christian Kluttz
Level: 3
Huntley Brothers Company, Inc.
Gold Hill NC



Garrick Manning
Level: 3
Kirk Brothers Masonry
Columbus OH



Douglas Stamper
Level: 3
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
Demotte IN



2022 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Roberto Cimental

JG Block CO
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Mark Diaz
Blocks: 135

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Luis Costilla
Blocks: 138

Lwdwin Sandoval

Sargon Masonry
Phoenix AZ

Tender: Edgar Nieto
Blocks: 123

2022 MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge

Frank Kocjancic
Level: 1
Bricklayers Local 9 PA
Pittsburgh PA



Sebastian Fernandez
Level: 1
BAC Local 5
Oklahoma City OK



Juan Mendez
Level: 1
Recreate Companies/Arizona Masonry Council
Phoenix AZ



Mason Saunders
Level: 2
Huntley Brothers Company, Inc.
Midland NC



Oscar Montano
Level: 2
Sun Valley Masonry
Tucson AZ



Kurtis Sutter
Level: 2
Rudolph Libbe, Inc.
Grand Rapids OH



Josh Rehme
Level: 3
Patrico Masonry
St. Louis MO



Robert Mckibben
Level: 3
Dallas College
Coppell TX



Marco antonio Suruy
Level: 3
District Council Training Center
Addison IL



2021 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Jose Soto

Diamond Masonry
Avondale AZ


Blocks: 127

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 124

Roberto Cimental

JG Block CO
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 122

2021 MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge

Oscar Montano
Level: 1
Sun Valley Masonry
Tucson AZ



Grant Miller
Level: 1
Jess Hauer Masonry
Cincinnati OH



John Parker
Level: 1
Wasco Knox / BAC#8SE
Knoxville TN



Ryan Clark
Level: 2
Mosser Construction, Inc.
Fremont OH



Kiefer White
Level: 2
Wasco Knox / BAC 8 Southeast
Nashville TN



Alex Mendoza
Level: 2
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
Merriville IN



Grant Helms
Level: 3
Helms Masonry
Concord NC



Mason Lovell
Level: 3
Precision Masonry
Albuquerque NM



Jordan Back
Level: 3
Gostomsky Masonry
Englewood OH



2020 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 136

Noe Martinez

Sargon Masonry Construction
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 125

Roberto Cimental

JG Block CO
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 141

2020 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Wade Taylor
Level: 1
Huntley Brothers Company Inc.
Mint Hill NC



Jesse Steele
Level: 1
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship Program
Merriville IN



Ty'shawn Pettway
Level: 1
Lovell's Masonry/BAC #8SE
Columbia TN



Deyver Tena
Level: 2
G&G Enterprises/Arizona Masonry Contractors Association
Glendale AZ



Sebastian Drawdy
Level: 2
Leidal & Hart
Livonia MI



Jace Huntley
Level: 2
Huntley Brothers Company Inc.
Mint Hill NC



Jake Freeman
Level: 3
Adams Masonry, Inc.
Chattangooga TN



David Sandoval
Level: 3
Jimmy'Z Masonry Corp
Crystal Lake IL



Jean Carroll
Level: 3
WaveCrest Masonry, Inc.
Inverness FL



2019 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 133

Noe Martinez

Curran Masonry Corporation
Chandler AZ


Blocks: 130

Jose Soto

Sargon Masonry
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 129

2019 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Mason Lovell
Level: 1
Lovell's Masonry
Columbia TN



Grant Helms
Level: 1
Helms Masonry
Concord NC



Jacob Brooks
Level: 1
Sutter Masonry Inc.
El Mirage AZ



Jamison Huntley
Level: 2
Huntley Brothers Co. Inc.
Monroe NC



Joseph Hite
Level: 2
Harris Masonry Inc.
Pittsburgh NC



Mitch Kittinger
Level: 2
Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council
Amherst OH



Tyler Hack
Level: 3
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship Program
Merrillville IN



Jonathan Weininger
Level: 3
Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council
Amherst OH



Josue Sosa
Level: 3
Ranch Masonry Inc.
Houston TX



2018 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Jose Soto

Sargon Masonry
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 126

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 125

Noe Martinez

Curran Masonry Corporation
Chandler AZ


Blocks: 123

2018 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Jamison Huntley
Level: 1
Huntley Brothers Co. Inc.
Monroe NC



Mitch Kittinger
Level: 1
Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council
Amherst OH



Michael Patterson
Level: 1
Larson + Danialson
La Porte IN



Jonathan Weininger
Level: 2
Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council
Amherst OH



Josh Morris
Level: 2
AAA Masonry
Jefferson City MO



Tyler Hack
Level: 2
BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship Program
Merrillville IN



Austin McEwen
Level: 3
Adams Masonry Inc.
Chattanooga TN



Jaris McClurg
Level: 3
WASCO Inc.
Knoxville TN



Charlie Coburn
Level: 3
Schiffer Mason Contractors
Holt MI



2017 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Gerardo Patlan

Adams Fence LLC
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 119

Jose Soto

Sargon Masonry
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 115

Jose Noe Martinez

Stone Cold Masonry
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 116

2017 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Joseph Blanton
Level: 1
WASCO Inc.
Knoxville TN



Victor Walls
Level: 1
Hummel Industries
Cincinnati OH



Ramon Vargas
Level: 1
G & G Enterprises
Glendale AZ



Luis Marquez
Level: 2
Huntley Brothers Co. Inc.
Mint Hill NC



Austin McEwen
Level: 2
Adams Masonry Inc.
Chattanooga TN



Travis Buda
Level: 2
Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors Inc.
Livonia. MI



David McWilliams
Level: 3
Kusler Masonry
Carnegie PA



Chris Dubief
Level: 3
R & R Masonry Inc.
North Hollywood CA



Ben Grzegorczyk
Level: 3
Baker Construction
Whitmore Lake MI



2016 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Jose Noe Martinez

Stone Cold Masonry
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 116

Jose Soto

Sargon Masonry
Phoenix AZ


Blocks: 119

Arcadio Armenta

Sutter Masonry Inc.
El Mirage AZ


Blocks: 113

2016 MCAA's Skills Challenge

Chaz Tomberlin
Level: 1
McGee Brothers Company
Monroe NC



Andrew Siefert
Level: 1
JP Cullen & Sons Inc.
Janesville WC



Jaris McClurg
Level: 1
WASCO Inc.
Knoxville TN



Heath Maclean
Level: 2
WASCO Inc.
Nashville TN



Mack O'Dell
Level: 2
Fort Scott Community College
Pittsburg KN



Ken Hernandez
Level: 2
Vandermay Construction
Kalamazoo MI



Lane Mullis
Level: 3
McGee Brothers Company
Monroe NC



Neal Hydeman
Level: 3
D & D Masonry
Kansas City MO



Nicholas Bracy
Level: 3
Bracy & Jahr
Quincy MI



2015 MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block

Arcadio Armenta

Sutter Masonry Inc.
El Mirage AZ


Blocks: 113

Alvaro Landaverde


El Mirage AZ


Blocks: 116

Irvin Willoughby

Pascal Robertson Masonry Inc.
Sorrento FL