Mackay School of Mines' muckers defend national title

By Greg Bortolin

Two teams of students from the mackay School of Mines added to the University of Nevada, Reno's legend and tradition by successfully defending its national mining skills championship. Mackay's top team won four of the seven events to bring the national championship trophy back to Nevada from the International and Intercollegiate Mining Competition , held Saturday April 11, at the University of Missouri, Rolla. Mackay's second team finished third overall and won the gold pan giving Nevada's two teams five category victories against 19 teams which came from the University of Idaho, University of Utah, Virginia Tech., University of Wisconsin, Colarado School of Mines, Montana Tech, Michigan Tech, University of Idaho, University of British Columbia, Canada, New Mexico Tech, Mackay School of Mines (two teams), University of Queensland, Australia (two teams), University of Missouri, Rolla, University of Wisconsin, University of Alaska and University of South Dakota. Click here for a Photo montage of the 20th Intercollegiate Mining Competition

"The dominance and strength shown by the Mackay teams reflects the hard work and perseverence they have shown over the past few months," said Justin Costa, Mackay team captain. "The results speak for themselves and yet another year's worth of trophies and awards hang in the Mackay mines Building."

Mackay's top team won in the categories mucking, jack leg, hand steeling and swede saw. Nevada has won every team hand mucking event since 1991 and holds every team hand mucking record.Mackay's winning team, the Tonopah Team, was made up of Brock Boscovich, Tom Ragar, Bob Ragar, Joe Leising, Justin Costa and Aaron Calhoon.

Mackay's second team, the Barrus Team, included Erin Lackey, Richard Price, Wade Adams, Jonas Pierce, Tyler Byers and David Hopperstead.