ONU competes in national concrete canoe competition
ONU competes in national concrete canoe competition
Ohio Northern University made its fourth national appearance representing the North Central Conference at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2011 National Concrete Canoe Competition in Evansville, Ind., from June 16-18.
The team qualified for nationals by placing second at the regional competition this spring. Each year, 23 teams qualify for nationals.
Competing teams are judged in five areas: the overall competition, a technical paper about their canoe, a presentation, the actual product, and race performance. ONU placed 23rd overall, 22nd on paper, 20th in the presentation, 21st in the product and 13th in the race.
The preparation for the competition requires an entire school year. Students begin by researching and designing a concrete canoe that does not sink when in use. They also spend time making the canoe by pouring concrete into molds and sanding the surface for a finished product. The team also must prepare a written and oral technical report with their canoe.
“While the team did not place in the top 10 in any of the nine categories on which they were judged, they did an excellent job,” said Thomas Zechman, advisor of ONU’s ASCE concrete canoe team. “The competition at nationals is on a totally different level than the regionals. Most important to me, they did their very best and represented Ohio Northern with class and dignity in every way.”
Members of the team were Lee Saunders, a senior from North Olmsted, Ohio; Drew Richards, a senior from New Washington, Ohio; Craig Berger a senior from Avon, Ohio; Adam Hamman, a senior form Bloomdale, Ohio; Nick Meyer, a senior from Cleves, Ohio; Alison Garbash, a senior from Saint Clairsville, Ohio; Sarah Fiffick a senior from Strongsville, Ohio; a senior from Bowling Green, Ohio; Jamie Garbash, a sophomore from Saint Clairsville, Ohio, Katie Bowman, a sophomore from Richfield, Ohio; Kevin Boehler, a senior from Monroeville, Ohio; Kevin Carper, a junior from Louisville, Ohio; Mary Purvis, a junior from New Haven, Ind.; Paige Sechrist, a senior from Montoursville, Pa.; Scott Sutton, a junior from Irondale, Ohio; and Stephen Berner, a sophomore from North Canton, Ohio.
Published: Fri, 07/01/2011 - 1:09pm
