Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Lovin' Life

Words: Dan Kamys
/Public/News/20080513085100-1.jpg" width="200" height="300" border="0" alt="Colton Sherman enjoys a life of wrestlin', rodeo, brick and block.">
Colton Sherman enjoys a life of wrestlin', rodeo, brick and block.
Colton Sherman of Cardington, Ohio, seems to be a true Jack-of-all-trades. As a student at Cardington Lincoln High School, Sherman wrestled and rode bucking bulls while attending Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion, Ohio. He still made time in the evenings to work on his family's farm, growing crops and raising livestock.

Sherman learned a number of life lessons and garnered many practical skills from his extracurricular activities. Today, those skills enhance the quality of his masonry work.

Sherman's interest in wrestling seems to parallel the qualities of many masons. "I started wrestling in fifth grade," he says. "I thought it was more competitive than other sports. I liked the fact that, in wrestling, you are on your own. No one else is accountable for your performance and your results."

Sherman's independence and individualism found a place for him in the rodeo arena, too. "I got interested in bull riding, went to a bull riding school and rode bulls for two years," he says. "When I figured out there wasn't enough money in it, I attended Sankey Rodeo Schools to learn to be a bull fighter (rodeo clown). I still do that whenever I get an opportunity."

Sherman began the masonry program at Tri-Rivers Career Center during his junior year. The following summer, he worked part-time for a local masonry contractor. During his senior year in high school, he was allowed to attend school on alternating days as he worked through an apprentice program with local masonry contractor Ward Masonry.

Sherman participated in classroom competitions and open tournaments throughout his senior year, before advancing to district events and the state competition. Having won Ohio's Skills

USA masonry contest, Sherman represented Ohio in the secondary division of the national masonry contest held in Kansas City, Mo., last June.

Rob Buchanan, masonry instructor at Tri-Rivers, speaks highly of Sherman. "Colton is an all-around great kid," he says. "He takes pride in the quality of his work."

Likewise, Sherman credits Buchanan with providing him the knowledge he needed to successfully enter his profession. He is now a full-time employee in the apprentice program of Ward Masonry.

Sherman says he continues to learn via on-the-job training and experience building. "We completed a school building recently, and I learned so much from being a part of that from start to finish. "

Looking ahead, Sherman sees himself continuing his career as a mason, while continuing to help his family on their farm as much as he can.
 0
Australian Bricks vs American Bricks: What 24 Hours of Travel Teaches You About the Trade
June 2026

Bricklaying might not change simply because you cross a state line. It does change when you travel 24 hours to the other side of the world and lay bricks under lights, cameras, and a stopwatch. The fundamentals of the trade are universal. Brick, mortar,

Technical Talks
Read More
2026 Masonry Foundation Grants Now Open
June 2026

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More
The “Small Job” Safety Trap: Why Safety Sometimes Fades When the Spotlight Disappears
June 2026

Before I was fortunate enough to lead Malta Dynamics, I spent a couple of years as a traveling salesman for the company. My territory covered the entire country (and some beyond), and in a typical year, I visited more than 100 jobsites across nearly every

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
June 2026

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more

Patrick Cunningham
MAP Partner
Read More