Concrete Canoe Team Gets Warmed Up

• canoe

The University of Maryland concrete canoe team has earned second place for the past two years. This year will be different.

ASCE will hold the mid-Atlantic concrete canoe competition on April 15-17. Until then, the team is focused on practice. “We’re doing eight practices, which is more than we’ve done the past two years,” Andy Stershic, a team member, states. “We’re in it to win. If we didn’t think we could win, we wouldn’t have half as many people on our team.”

For the past two years, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown has earned first place. Stershic says that UPJ continues to be the biggest competition. In order to beat them, “we have to improve on all fronts.”

Stershic’s involvement with concrete canoe has given him skills to use in everyday engineering situations. “I learned CAD skills, we taught ourselves to analyze structures, and I experienced leadership. In real life you’ll have to lead eventually.”

Stershic says that being involved with concrete canoe is open to anyone. The rowing team is more restrictive, because there are try-outs. “To make it on the rowing team you have to prove yourself against your peers, be a dedicated worker, and be committed to the team.”

To learn more about getting involved, visit

http://www.ascemaryland.org/2011-canoe.html

Published February 4, 2011