Construction Estimating Team Finishes Second in OCA Competition

The Ohio Northern University construction estimating team finished second at the 10th annual Ohio Contractors Association (OCA) Estimating Competition in Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 26-27.

This marks the third consecutive year that estimators representing the T.J. Smull College of Engineering have placed either first or second in the state.

Comprised of ONU civil engineering majors, the team was captained by Kevin Gilbert, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio. The team also included Nate Bair, a senior from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, B.J. Wolfgang, a senior from Beloit, Ohio, Nathan Miller, a senior from Fremont, Ohio, Korey Sarven, a junior from Lima, Ohio, and Sarah Thompson, a freshman from Goodlettsvlle, Tenn. The students received cash awards.

The University of Akron took first place. Other competitors represented the University of Dayton, University of Toledo, University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Youngstown State University, Ohio State University and Ohio University.

This year, each team was required to estimate the reconstruction of a one-mile section of U.S. Route 50 in Cincinnati running adjacent to the Ohio River. The details included road widening, pipe placement, excavation, retaining walls, traffic signals and maintenance of traffic plan. The project is valued at approximately $6,000,000.

Each team was given a set of plans and specifications at 8 a.m. on Friday, and a final bid was due at 5 p.m. On Saturday morning, each school gave a presentation and then responded to questions from a panel of judges. The final score was based upon the accuracy of the construction estimate and the professionalism of the presentation.

Four volunteer ONU civil engineering alumni coached the ONU team. They are Craig Wing, BSCE '91, Brian Smith, BSCE '93, Brittney Burgett, BSCE '08, and Mitch Vincent, BSCE '07.

Published: Fri, 03/05/2010 - 12:21pm