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
Five Truths About Final Brick Cleandown
May 2026

Not all truths are self-evident. Sometimes they’re easy to forget or clouded with misunderstanding. The good news is these truths of final cleandown are not hard to implement on your next project to ensure successfully cleaned and beautiful new brick.

Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

The Mason’s Mark: Defining the Craft Through the Trowel
May 2026

Walk onto any job site, from a custom residential chimney to a sprawling commercial block wall, and you will hear it before you see it: the distinctive ring of high-carbon steel striking masonry. The trowel is more than just a mortar scoop; it is the cond

Registration Now Open for the 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Texas
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting event is scheduled from September 13th-1