Terpedo II Places 2nd at Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Concrete Canoe Competition

In mid-April, a year’s worth of planning, design, and construction culminated at the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Concrete Canoe Competition at the University of Delaware. Five teams competed, including the University of Maryland, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Drexel University, the Naval Academy, and Penn State University. The University of Maryland finished in 2nd place, falling short of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown by 0.4 points. The University of Maryland’s placing for each scoring criterion was as follows:

Description	Rank
Final Product	2nd
Design Paper	2nd
Oral Presentation	Did-not-place
Men's Sprint	1st
Men's Slalom	3rd
Women's Sprint	2nd
Women's Slalom	2nd
Co-ed Sprint	1st

This year, Maryland’s canoe team was led by student chapter president Theodor Tan, a junior in the civil engineering program, who oversaw all project operations. Michael Mercado, also a junior, was the principal engineer in charge of leading the design efforts, which included creating a concrete mix design, performing specimen tests, and modeling the canoe in Staad.Pro. Finally, construction efforts were led by project superintendent, senior Christopher Fike.

While team members were disappointed that they fell 0.4 points short of finishing in first place and going to the national competition, Tan sees this year’s experience as a “… stepping stone and a big step in the right direction.” Though the team did not achieve its ultimate goal of going to nationals, the concrete canoe project was an unforgettable experience for all of its participants.

When asked what the highlight of her experience was, chapter secretary Melanie Wong replied, “Cheering on our race team and seeing our boat in action.” Other highlights included being able to what they have learned from class and internships in designing and building something tangible. One outgoing participant responded that her most memorable experience was “hanging out and partying with all of the other students at our hotel!”

While all of the team members are already reminiscing about this year’s concrete canoe project, they are all very anxious for next year’s competition, and can’t wait for the opportunity to improve upon this year’s canoe and bring the University of Maryland to national convention for the first time since 2003.

Click here for photos.

Published May 15, 2009