The University of Nevada, Reno's concrete canoe team placed fifth in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2011 National Concrete Canoe Competition in Evansville, Ind., June 16-18. The Nevada team earned a spot in the national competition after defending their regional champion title and winning the Mid-Pacific regional competition in April.

The national competition involved 23 teams from 18 regions, and it challenged the students' knowledge, creativity and stamina, while showcasing the versatility and durability of concrete as a building material. Teams were judged in four categories: the final product; paddling, including sprints and an endurance test; oral presentation; and a technical design paper. The University of Nevada team placed first in the technical design paper category and in the top 10 of all other categories and paddling competitions.

This year marked the University of Nevada's team sixth consecutive appearance in the national competition, including when it won the national title in 2008.

"The sustained success of our program in this competition speaks highly for the excellence of our students and brings national recognition to the University and the College of Engineering," said Manos Maragakis, dean of the College of Engineering. "I am very proud of the dedication and fine effort of these students."

The University of Nevada was recently selected to host the American Society of Civil Engineer's 25th Annual National Concrete Canoe Competition, June 14-16, 2012. Two dozen teams of engineering students representing universities from the United States and Canada will travel to Reno/Sparks with their concrete canoes for the event.

Members of the University of Nevada concrete canoe team began designing and building this year's canoe, "Black Diamond," in September. It is 20 feet long, half an inch thick and 31.25 inches at its widest part. ASCE rules stipulate teams have to use two recycled aggregates in the concrete mix. This year Nevada's team made its own aggregate, which included glow-in-the-dark air soft pellets.