2024 MASONRY MADNESS® Recap & Results

 Words:  Tim O'toole

2024 MASONRY MADNESS® Recap

MASONRY MADNESS® was held on Wednesday, January 24th in the Bronze Lot of the Las Vegas Convention center. Once again, this event stood out as a highlight of the World of Concrete, with competitors eagerly facing off to determine the champions in their respective contests. A huge thank you goes out to all who participated in and attended these thrilling competitions.

MCAA’s Masonry Skills Challenge

The MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge serves as the national championship for masonry apprentices across first, second, and third-year skill levels. Contestants, comprising aspiring masons, are granted three hours to demonstrate their abilities. They compete against winners from various regional U.S. and international competitions to identify the top apprentices in each skill tier. This dynamic competition not only showcases the talent of young masons but also highlights career opportunities within the masonry industry.

First Year Apprentice Winners

First Place: Lorenzo Gonzalez, Baker Construction, Whitmore Lake, MI

Second Place: Isaac Sanders, BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship, Merrillville, ID

Third Place: Leslie Manning, Masonry Builders Inc, Tampa, FL

Second Year Apprentice Winners

First Place: Cade Huntley, Huntley Brothers Co Inc, Monroe, NC

Second Place: Tyler Lord, BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship, Merrillville, ID

Third Place: Scott Schooley, Metropolitan Builders, Inc., Lorain, OH

Third Year Apprentice Winners

First Place: Wade Schneider, BAC 4 IN/KY Apprenticeship, Merrillville, ID
Second Place: John Synek, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #2NY/VT, Forestport, NY

Third Place: Ruben Avina Rodriguez, Manning Masonry, Inc., Goldsboro, NC

SPEC MIX Toughest Tender

The SPEC MIX TOUGHEST TENDER® Competition blends speed and precision, challenging each mason tender participating in the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® to meticulously lift, transport, and position materials and tools necessary for setting up the bricklayer's designated workstation.

Winner: Charlie Cheatham, UNITES MASONRY, Columbus, OH

Fastest Trowel On The Block Presented By Best Block

The Fastest Trowel On The Block competition fosters excellence in workmanship, speed, and craftsmanship within the masonry industry and its workforce. Accompanied by their chosen tender, journeyman masons engage in a thrilling 20-minute challenge, showcasing their skills in a high-speed showdown. Only those journeymen with the requisite skill, confidence, and bravery earn the opportunity to compete against the industry's elite. This contest underscores the vital role of teamwork in achieving a superior end result.

First Place: Roberto Cimental (Mason) and Mark Diaz (Tender), JG Block Co, Glendale, AZ (Right)

Second Place: Lwdin Sandoval (Mason) and Edgar Nieto (Tender), Sargon Masonry Construction, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (Middle)

Third Place: Luis Centeno (Mason) and Adrian Centeno O’hara (tender), Sargon Masonry  Construction, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (Left)

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® First Place: Michael Schlun (Mason) and Aaron Kowalski (Tender), Kowalski Masonry, Wausau, WI Second Place: Fred Campbell (Mason) and Javier Melina (Tender), Creative Masonry, Limestone, TN Third Place: Johnny Langeraap (Mason) and Mike Mccarrick, Langeraap Masonry,, Sparta, NJ

Along with the “World’s Best Bricklayer,” the mason with the “most-sellable” wall as determined by a panel of judges will be crowned the 2024 SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN® Top Craftsman: Dave Sontag, Bearstone Ex, Calgary, CA