Apprentices Show Off Their Skills in Vegas

Words: Mason Contractors
/Public/News/20100210063000-1.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Michael Sapp, Third Year Apprentice winner.">
Michael Sapp, Third Year Apprentice winner.

The eleventh annual International Masonry Skills Challenge at the 2010 MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry on February 2, 2010 showed off the best apprentices our industry has to offer. Contestants in first, second and third year skill levels throughout the country came to compete.

Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to their skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project based on the materials provided. The final projects looked great; the apprentices should be very proud of their three hours of hard work. The judges were impressed with the quality of the apprentices' construction, and had the tough decision of choosing the winners.

The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:

/Public/News/20100210063000-2.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Darren Tolbolt, 2010 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.">
Darren Tolbolt, 2010 International Masonry Skills Challenge First Year winner.

First Year Apprentices

First Place
Darren Tolbolt
Studer Obringer, Inc.
New Washington, Ohio

Second Place
Jerrod Beheler
Lucia, Inc.
Houston, Texas

Third Place
Bradley Lovin
Wasco, Inc.
Knoxville, Tenn.

/Public/News/20100210063000-3.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Daniel Sapp, 2010 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.">
Daniel Sapp, 2010 International Masonry Skills Challenge Second Year winner.

Second Year Apprentices

First Place
Daniel Sapp
Adams Masonry, Inc.
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Second Place
Rhett Hallman
McGee Bros., Co., Inc.
Monroe, N.C.

Third Place
Joshua Moss
Valentine Contractors, Inc.
North Canton, Ohio

/Public/News/20100210063000-4.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Michael Sapp, 2010 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.">
Michael Sapp, 2010 International Masonry Skills Challenge Third Year winner.

Third Year Apprentices

First Place
Michael Sapp
Adams Masonry, Inc.
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Second Place
Todd Terwilliger
Giambrone Masonry, Inc.
Hudson, Ohio

Third Place
Eric Cambrom
Artisan Masonry, Inc.
Garland, Texas

All winners received trophies, cash prizes, and Marshalltown tool bags and tools. First place winners also received concrete calculators from Calculated Industries.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise and the sponsors and service/material donors for their contributions including:


  • Lafarge

  • EZ Scaffold

  • Mortar Net USA, Ltd.

  • Non-Stop Scaffolding

  • QUIKRETE

  • SPEC MIX

  • Angelus Block Co.

  • Calculated Industries

  • EZ Grout Corporation

  • Gatorback

  • Grout Grunt

  • Marshalltown

  • Masonry Construction

  • MK Diamond Products, Inc.
About: Convention
From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Proudly American-Made: EZG Manufacturing’s Commitment to Quality, Innovation, and the U.S. Workforce
July 2025

As supply chain disruptions and tariff concerns continue to impact industries worldwide, EZG Manufacturing remains steadfast in its commitment to providing high-quality, innovative masonry equipment—proudly built in the U.S.A. For 25 years, our Malta, Ohi

Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu