TYLER, Texas — A team of UT Tyler students was among the top 10 at this year's American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition.
The UT Tyler students finished ninth overall out of 25 teams in the nationwide contest that requires teams to build canoes out of concrete and be judged on four categories. The university represented the largest region worldwide that includes schools from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Mexico.
According to a statement from UT Tyler, this was the second consecutive time that UT Tyler finished in the top 10 at nationals. The team also took seventh place in technical paper, ninth place in oral presentation, eighth place in final product, sixth in co-ed sprint, seventh in women’s sprint and 10th in women’s slalom.
"Ranking top 10 in the nation in back-to-back years is very impressive,” said Dr. Matthew Vechione, UT Tyler ASCE faculty adviser and assistant professor of civil engineering. “This was actually the first time we’ve ever been in the top 10 in any of the races at nationals, too. I’m so proud of our group.”
The UT Tyler team advanced to nationals when they won the 2024 Texas Mexico Regional Concrete Canoe Competition with their entry, “The Tyler Rose.”
“Our students’ consistent top 10 finishes at the national level underscore the exceptional quality of education and hands-on experience provided by our program,” said Dr. Mena Souliman, UT Tyler Ronald D. Brazzel endowed professor of civil engineering and interim department chair. “Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also the strong support and mentorship from our faculty. We are thrilled to see them represent UT Tyler and Region 6 with such distinction.”
Twenty-four students, including several East Texas natives, were a part of the team. See a list with their names and their hometowns here:
- Bullard– Clay Stewart.
- Caddo Mills – Keagan Rios.
- Carthage – Sahara Coultas and Josiah Schumacher.
- Diana – Caleb Mobbs.
- Elkhart – Mason Mattern.
- Fort Worth – Pierce Cole.
- Giddings – Chandler Hosch.
- Gilmer – Christopher McMillan.
- Henderson – Ernesto Colorado.
- Houston – Jason Carranza.
- Katy – Dominic Patronella.
- Kaufman – Luis Ortiz.
- Longview – Esther Fajardo, co-captain.
- Mineola – Angel Suarez.
- Mount Pleasant – Javier Garcia and Steven Luna.
- Sherman – Manuel Salazar.
- Tenaha – Jacquelyn Barton.
- Terrell – Gerardo Perez, co-captain.
- Tyler – Samuel Gentry and Hannah McGinnis, co-captain.
- Whitehouse – Kristofer Niere.
- Spain – Ana Gay Mesa.