David Chavez Named Best Bricklayer in South Texas

Converse, TX – The best masons in South Texas came together to test their skill, speed and stamina by battling to see who could build the biggest and best 26-foot-long brick wall in one hour while using superior craftsmanship. The winning team is determined by a judging panel that detract brick from the total number of bricks laid based on workmanship infractions. The event is one of several SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Regional Series competitions to be held across North America in 2020. The winner of each regional qualifies to compete in the 2021 World Championship at the World of Concrete expo in Las Vegas.

Eight teams of masons and tenders lined the arena at Best Block in Converse, TX ready to prove they’re the best craftsmen in the region. Mason David Chavez and mason tender Geronimo Baten with Ranch Masonry in Houston, TX took home top honors with a brick count of 683. All-in-all Chavez and Baten earned $600 in cash, a free trip to Las Vegas for the World Championship, $200 gift card from Ford Trucks, a Marshalltown tool bag with a ceremonial trowel, Stabila Level and the title, “Best Bricklayer in South Texas” This marks the third World Championship qualification for Chavez, winning it all in 2018, and placing 2nd in 2017.

Mason Olegario Sanchez and mason tender John Hernandez with Shadrock & Williams Masonry in San Antonio, TX took home the SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN award which goes to the mason with “most-sellable” wall. Sanchez laid 560 brick in one hour with zero deductions. The duo also took 3rd place overall in the competition, earning an extra $800 on the day.

Widely referred to as the “Road to Las Vegas,” the Regional Series is the Masonry Industry’s most notorious event that tests the speed, skill, and stamina of bricklayers by building the best 26-foot-long brick wall in just one hour. The stakes are high as only one mason per regional competition will advance to Las Vegas at the World of Concrete trade show with a chance to win the title “World’s Best Bricklayer.” The contest’s total purse is worth over $100,000 with the champion taking home the lion’s share which includes a new FORD F250 Super Duty 4×4 truck coupled with $15,000 in cash and prizes.