Marty Marrs Wins the 2021 Illinois Regional Series

Earns title, “Best Bricklayer in the Illinois”

Cicero, IL – He laid 567 brick in only one hour! Mason Marty Marrs and mason tender Tony Savant with Marrs Masonry in West Terre Haute, IN teamed up to earn the title, “Best Bricklayer in Illinois.” Marrs and Savant beat out 9 other local teams, officially winning their shot to compete on the biggest stage in masonry, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500, in Las Vegas at the World of Concrete Expo in January 2022.

To qualify for the World Championship, hundreds of teams from across North America will battle to win one of 20 individual regional series events, proving they belong on the national stage. Each team, consisting of one mason and one mason tender, will be given an hour to build the tallest and best 26-foot-long brick wall they can, with as few errors as possible. One winning team from each region will advance to compete for over $125,000 in cash and prizes (including a new Ford F-250 4×4 Truck, Kubota RTV-X1140) and the title, “World’s Best Bricklayer.”

This is the second straight year Marrs has qualified for the World Championship and his 3rd time overall. A mason for more than 20 years, Marrs is an active mentor in his community, working to recruit new talent into the industry. The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 helps provide a platform for Marrs to promote bricklaying and his business.

Marrs and Savant also won the coveted SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN prize, which goes to the mason with most “sellable-wall.” All-in-all they left Cicero with $1400 along with a free trip to Las Vegas, a 4′ Stabila Level, $200 Blaklader gift certificate, $200 gift certificate from Ford and a Marshalltown ceremonial trowel and tool bag.

Second place went to mason Glen Hoopingarner and mason tender Timmy Hoopingarner, with Hoopingarner Masonry in West Terre Haute, IL with 393 total brick. For their efforts, the team took home $500, a 4′ Stabila level and a Marshalltown tool bag.

Third place went to mason Scott Savant and mason tender Nick Lesecki of Marrs Masonry in West Terre Haute, IL with a brick count of 345, for their efforts, the team took home $400, a 4′ Stabila level and a Marshalltown tool bag.

Immediately following the journeyman competition, area masonry apprentices had a chance to showcase their skills in the JR. SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500. Designed to be an abbreviated version of the main event, the junior bricklayer showcases the future of masonry. Each apprentice leaves with a prize in hand, but only one is named the region’s best apprentice, a title which could go a long way when being considered by contractors for future employment.

Mason Steven Mooney with the District Council Training Center in Addison, IL won the apprentice event with a brick count of 108, taking home $100 cash and a $150 gift certificate from Blaklader.

As workforce development becomes the primary battle cry for the skilled trades, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 is a tool designed to create interest from a new generation of masons in the rewards and opportunities possible in masonry and construction.

The 20th annual SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 World Championship will be held January 19th, 2022 at the World of Concrete expo in Las Vegas. Prizes total more than $125,000 and include a new Ford F-250 4×4 Super Duty truck, Kubota RTV-X1140, Multiquip Mortar Mixer, and other prizes from IQ Power Tools, Stabila, Marshalltown, STIHL, Blaklader, Iron Age Footwear and Belden Brick.

2021 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 ILLINOIS REGIONAL RESULTS

2021 JR. SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 ILLINOIS REGIONAL RESULTS