Block Stacks Up at Fastest Trowel

Words: Dan Kamys
/Public/News/5102005850.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="1">
First Place: Benjamin Houghton
The skill and speed of twelve masons and twenty three tenders were highlighted at Masonry Showcase's premier event in Chicago on April 22nd. The annual Fastest Trowel on the Block contest drew an audience of hundreds to the exhibit floor to catch the action and see who would win the $7,000 grand prize. Contestants came from across the country to compete against each other to build the biggest and best block wall.

The contest was more exciting than ever, as all the masons built quickly and with great quality. The audience picked their favorites and cheered them on through the twenty minute competition. After the judges did their scoring, the results were announced. The winners are:

First Place: Benjamin Houghton, Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, Iowa
Second Place: Scott Ramm, Heartland Construction, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Third Place: Javier Lares, Winco Masonry, Porter, Texas

MCAA thanks QUIKRETE, the contest sponsor and contributor of labor and mortar.

Other materials were contributed by Sterling Handling Equipment, EZ Grout, Northfield Block, and Gatorback.

About: Convention
Moisture in Masonry: A Key Concern
August 2026

As building envelopes become tighter and more performance-driven, clarity around moisture management in masonry applications is more important than ever. In masonry wall assemblies, where water penetration is expected and managed rather than eliminated, t

Revailo Upgrades to Platinum in the 2026 and 2027 MAP
August 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that Revailo will upgrade their Silver partnership to a prominent Platinum partnership for the remainder of the 2026 MAP and for the duration of the 2027 MAP.

Restoring Structural Integrity: Reinforcement in Masonry Buildings
August 2026

Masonry, as most of us in the trade know and appreciate, remains one of the most durable and time-tested structural systems in the built environment. Structures built throughout Europe and other parts of the world demonstrate that a masonry building is mo

Designing High-Performance Masonry Envelopes: Selecting the Right Air Barrier System
August 2026