CULLEOKA, Tenn--- Two teams from Culleoka Unit School’s engineering design program earned top honors at the Tennessee Concrete Association’s Skate4Concrete Mini Skatepark Competition, at Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) Concrete Industry Management Building.

The teams, led by engineering design teacher Vince Springer, competed in the event for the third consecutive year. The competition evaluates students on creativity and technical knowledge required to design and construct a functional skatepark. Judging criteria include skatepark design, presentation and a quiz bowl component, with an emphasis on concrete science, construction principles and community impact.

Culleoka’s Blue Devil Co. team — Kamren Baumann, John Hunter, Logan Gibbs and Coltin Butler — placed first overall, earning the highest combined score across all three categories.

“This is the third year we have competed,” said Baumann, the team’s designer. “We finished second place the last two years and finally we won first. I want to thank the Tennessee Concrete Association and MTSU for the opportunity and hospitality.”

Culleoka’s second team, LLKP — Nick Chambers, Camden Randall, Ethan Gutierrez and Luke Luna — finished second overall.

“I am so proud of my students,” Springer said. “They worked hard on their skatepark designs and completing the concrete curriculum. This has become something that my students look forward to every year.”

“The Tennessee Concrete Association is fortunate to partner with CTE programs like the one at Culleoka Unit School who create opportunities for their students to learn about the concrete industry,” said Joseph McDaniel of the Tennessee Concrete Association. “Vince Springer, the program director, has been one of the most committed competitors in the Skate 4 Concrete competition from the beginning. Congrats to his awesome group of Skate 4 Concrete competitors who placed first and second in our third annual state competition.”

As part of the project, students completed the Tennessee Concrete Association’s Skate4Concrete certification. Following the competition’s presentation and quiz components, participants toured the Concrete Industry Management Building at Middle Tennessee State University and learned more about its Concrete Industry Management program.

Springer credited the Tennessee Concrete Association, workforce coordinator Joseph McDaniel and MTSU for providing students the opportunity to participate in the annual competition.

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