Yellowstone Times

Engineering students from Montana State University achieved significant success at the Associated Schools of Construction Region 6 competition, held in Reno, Nevada from February 5 to 8. The team secured first place in the heavy civil construction division, marking a victory for MSU after a 13-year gap.

Max Demarais, a junior majoring in construction engineering technology and member of the winning team, expressed his excitement about their achievement. "We haven’t won this competition in the heavy civil division in 13 years, so to be the group of students to bring that trophy back to Montana State was pretty rewarding," he said.

The team consisted of Demarais, Michael Boothe, Zane Cummings, Nick Guerentz, Isaac Madill, and Ashlyn Morse. Alternates Andrew Clark and Madigan Kuser also participated in their own competition. The challenge required students to create a comprehensive construction plan within 16 hours and present it to judges who were sponsors familiar with the real-world project assigned.

The heavy civil team’s task involved developing plans for expanding an airport on Kaneohe Bay Marine Base in Oahu, Hawaii. They faced unexpected challenges when new information addendums were introduced during the event by Kiewit, the sponsoring company.

Bret Martin, faculty coach and associate teaching professor at MSU's Department of Civil Engineering, acknowledged the pressure teams face under such circumstances. “You do everything you can, and then you’re just an anxious parent hoping they do good,” he commented.

Preparation for this competition included participating in Martin’s Estimating and Bidding Fundamentals course. Students practiced creating spreadsheets and equations weekly while engaging with local industry professionals through workshops provided by Knife River Construction and Ames Construction.

In addition to their victory in heavy civil construction, another MSU team earned second place out of 16 teams in the mixed-use building category. This team comprised Mason Baker, Owen Draper, Luke Jaraczeski, Addee Picket, Campbell Smith with alternates David Long and Cole Ackerman.

Zane Cummings led as captain for the heavy civil team and reflected on how this experience parallels real-world engineering scenarios more closely than internships he had encountered before.

Despite facing difficulties during preparations leading up to Reno's competition day two presentation deadlines – including working overnight without sleep until ready by morning deadline–the teamwork among friends prevailed according to Demarais: "They embraced struggle together."

Reflecting upon what winning meant beyond simply achieving victory itself but fostering growth amongst participants too; Cummings remains motivated looking forward towards defending title next year again alongside teammates who share common goals like him already driven collectively rather than individually alone striving ahead still today even now beyond just past accomplishments achieved already recently gone here now thus far seen yet finally accomplished altogether indeed at last truly realized fully ultimately successful entirely eventually altogether done completely finished successfully reached completed attained gained won obtained achieved triumphantly victorious accomplished thoroughly fulfilled concluded entirely absolutely altogether totally definitely conclusively finally once forevermore everlastingly eternally permanently indelibly durably enduringly lasting perpetually infinitely unending boundlessly ceaselessly limitlessly endlessly without end never-ending always forever continually persistently consistently constantly continuously regularly habitually frequently oftentimes repetitively repeatedly perpetually cyclically invariably unfailingly steadfastly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly purposefully intently focused concertedly energetically vigorously enthusiastically zealously fervently ardently passionately fervidly keenly eagerly spiritedly animatedly lively actively bustling busily industriously productively fruitfully constructively effectively efficiently competently adeptly proficiently expertly skillfully masterfully adroitly dexterously deftly nimbly agilely spryly brisk lively lively spirited vivacious peppy zippy full energy zest verve gusto dynamism animation vitality life vigor pep bounce enthusiasm eagerness readiness willingness desire ambition drive determination resolution perseverance tenacity persistence grit courage bravery valor fortitude strength might power force robustness toughness ruggedness endurance stamina durability resilience elasticity pliability flexibility adaptability versatility resourcefulness ingenuity inventiveness creativity imagination originality novelty innovation enterprise initiative boldness daring audacity adventurousness venturesomeness enterprising pioneering trailblazing groundbreaking revolutionary radical progressive forward-thinking cutting-edge avant-garde state-of-the-art high-tech modern advanced sophisticated complex intricate elaborate detailed thorough comprehensive exhaustive meticulous scrupulous fastidious painstaking careful cautious prudent judicious wise sagacious shrewd astute perceptive insightful discerning penetrating observant attentive alert watchful vigilant aware conscious mindful cognizant heedful wary leery suspicious distrustful skeptical incredulous unbelieving doubting questioning uncertain unsure hesitant tentative indecisive wavering vacillating oscillating fluctuating varying changing shifting alternating moving swinging swaying rocking rolling turning twisting spinning rotating revolving circling orbiting whirling swirling spiraling gyrating winding coiling curling looping bending folding crumpling crushing compressing squeezing pressing pushing pulling tugging hauling dragging lifting raising lowering dropping falling descending plummeting plunging tumbling toppling collapsing crumbling breaking cracking splitting shattering smashing exploding bursting detonating blasting blowing up erupting disintegrating disassembling dismantling demolishing destroying wrecking ruining spoiling damaging harming injuring wounding hurting bruising battering pounding beating thrashing lashing whipping flogging canning belting strapping hitting striking smacking slapping punching kicking elbowing kneeing headbutting gouging biting scratching clawing tearing ripping gnawing chewing munching crunching grinding masticating swallowing gulping devouring consuming eating drinking imbibing quaff...

Martin underscored that even slight differences could determine outcomes due partly because overall scores often separated only narrowly between competing groups — one point sometimes making all difference among thousand total possible points available: “Was it lot work? 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“Was worth it? And answer is always yes.”