UT Tyler’s concrete canoe places top 10 in national competition

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – The University of Texas at Tyler placed in the top 10 for the second year in a row in a concrete canoe competition.

According to a release, the 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Concrete Canoe Competition included 25 teams of several regions.

UT Tyler’s team and their canoe, The Tyler Rose, that weighed in at 362 pounds, placed ninth overall, a release said.

“Ranking top 10 in the nation in back-to-back years is very impressive,” Dr. Matthew Vechione, UT Tyler ASCE faculty adviser and assistant professor of civil engineering, said.

The UT Tyler team represented ASCE Region 6, the largest of the regions, which includes schools from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Mexico.

Students on UT Tyler’s team are Clay Stewart, Keagan Rios, Sahara Coultas, Josiah Schumacher, Caleb Mobbs, Mason Mattern, Pierce Cole, Chandler Hosch, Christopher McMillan, Ernesto Colorado, Jason Carranza, Dominic Patronella, Luis Ortiz, Esther Fajardo, Angel Suarez, Javier Garcia, Steven Luna, Manuel Salazar, Jacquelyn Barton, Gerardo Perez, Samuel Gentry, Hannah McGinnis, Kristofer Niere and Ana Gay Mesa.

“Our students’ consistent top 10 finishes at the national level underscore the exceptional quality of education and hands-on experience provided by our program,” Dr. Mena Souliman, UT Tyler professor of civil engineering and interim department chair, said. “Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also the strong support and mentorship from our faculty. We are thrilled to see them represent UT Tyler and Region 6 with such distinction.”

A release said the ASCE Region 6 is the largest region worldwide and UT Tyler advanced to nationals by winning the 2024 Texas Mexico Regional Concrete Canoe Competition.

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