The Industry's Next Generation Showcased At 2020 MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge

Algonquin, Il., February 11, 2020 – The 21st MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge was held on February 5, 2020 during MASONRY MADNESS® at the World of Concrete. The competition is designed to showcase the best apprentices the industry has to offer. 

The MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition to demonstrate the skills training in the industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentices at each level. The spotlight is on the world’s finest young masons, and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry. 

Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants had three hours to construct their respective project using the materials provided. Final projects looked great, and apprentices and instructors should be proud of the hard work. Judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices’ construction, and had the tough decision of choosing the winners.

After the judges completed their scoring using the MCAA’s new scoring app with Sonim XP8 smartphones running the MCAA Perks Program’s Sprint network, the results were announced.

TOP FINISHERS

FIRST-YEAR APPRENTICES

FIRST PLACE: Wade Taylor, Huntley Brothers Company Inc., Mint Hill, NC

SECOND PLACE: Jesse Steele, BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship Program, Merriville, IN

THIRD PLACE: Ty’Shawn Pettway, Lovell’s Masonry/BAC, Columbia, TN

SECOND-YEAR APPRENTICES

FIRST PLACE: Deyvar Tena, G&G Enterprises/Arizona Masonry Contractors Association, Glendale, AZ

SECOND PLACE: Sebastian Drawdy, Leidal & Hart, Livonia, MI

THIRD PLACE: Jace Huntley, Huntley Brothers Company Inc., Mint Hill, NC

THIRD-YEAR APPRENTICES

FIRST PLACE: Jake Freeman, Adams Masonry, Inc., Chattanooga, TN

SECOND PLACE: David Sandoval, Jimmy’Z Masonry Corp, Crystal Lake, IL 

THIRD PLACE: Jean Carroll, WaveCrest Masonry, Inc., Inverness, FL

JUDGES

The MCAA would like to thank the judges for sharing their time and many years of expertise with the next generation. 

• Al Herndon, Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation
• Alonza Lewis, Retired Instructor
• Curtis Hoover, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
• Daniel Flores, BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship
• Daniel Hurley, FRACO
• Dave Jaykins, Sargon Masonry Construction
• David Malone, BAC Local 1 MN/ND
• Eugene Johnson, Johnson & Sons Masonry
• Hoss (James) Hoskinson, Lang Masonry & Restoration Contractors
• Jason Young, Ollier Masonry Inc. 
• Joe Bonifate, Arch Masonry & Restoration
• John (Jack) Gray, International Masonry Training and Educational Foundation
• Mike Ellsworth, Schiffer Masonry
• Mike Summers, Top Quality Masonry
• Milton McGinnis, Vallejo Masonry
• Paula Wight, Bon Tool
• Reggie Wilson, WDP Construction Group, Inc.
• Robert Melgaard, Florida Department of Corrections
• Todd Williams, Williams and Sons Masonry, Inc. 

SPONSORS

The MCAA would also like to thank the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) for sponsoring the MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge. 

CONTRIBUTORS

• AZ Best Block
• The Belden Brick Company
• GATORBACK, Inc.
• Quikrete
• SPEC MIX, LLC 
  
  

PRIZES PROVIDED BY

• Beeline Purchasing, LLC
• The Belden Brick Company
• Bon Tool
• GROUT GRUNT
• Iron Age Footwear
• Keson/SOLA
• Marshalltown Company
• SPEC MIX, LLC

All winners received trophies, cash prizes, and Marshalltown Company tool bags and tools. First place winners also received engraved trowels from Marshalltown Company and boots from Iron Age Footwear. All contestants received a level from MCAA Strategic Partner Keson/SOLA, a GROUT GRUNT masonry scoop, tools from Bon Tool, and additional prizes. 

About The MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge: The Masonry Skills Challenge 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. This exciting competition highlights our industry’s fnest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry. For more information, visit masoncontractors.org.