The 2007 Nevada Concrete Canoe Team: 

2007 Project Manager - Nick Maxon
Civil Engineering Student

Nick joined the Concrete Canoe Team in 2006. He aided in minor roles throughout the 2006 project from mix design, construction, and administrative work. It was only by experiencing the Mid Pacific Regional Competition and the NCCC that he became dedicated to the success of the UNR program. This year, Nick will head project management under the much needed and careful eyes of many of the veterans of the team. Along with project management, Nick will head fundraising working closely with Dale Keller, and he will be responsible for the Nevada Concrete Canoe website. If you don’t him now, you will probably meet him by the end of either regionals or nationals. He makes it a point to network with everyone…and we mean everyone.

Christine paddled for us last year at both the regional and national competitions. Since she was a four year starter for the UNR volleyball team and she achieves high academic marks, she’s obviously a very busy individual. This year, she has been heavily involved with the mix design and analysis aspects of the project. Chrisitne will be paddling again in 2007, and she will be delivering the oral presentation.  She will graduate in May of 2007 with her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and plans to attend UC Berkeley for graduate school.

Michael Taylor has been the driving force behind the past two years of Nevada’s Canoe program. Through his mastering of mix design and his vision of where this team is going, he has instilled his incredible work ethic and passion into many team members. Michael is the Canoe guru for the details for this team, and coupled with his professionalism, his legacy has been etched into all of our programs successes past and future. Michael will graduate with his Master’s Degree in Structural engineering in the spring of 2007.  Enough cannot be said for his contributions to making this program the success it has become.

Kelly joined the concrete canoe while heading our ASCE student chapter as president in 2006. Her contribution last year was invaluable as she made sure that ASCE took care of the Concrete Canoe with administrative aid and financial care packages. She paddled both at our regional and national competitions. Her passion for this project is unwavering as she will co-lead mix design with Michael Taylor while being a graduate student. Additionally, she will aid Nick in the development of the Nevada Concrete Canoe website. She is currently studying for her Master’s degree in Structural Engineering. Without her developing the relationship the Concrete Canoe has with our ASCE student chapter, our team would not be in the fantastic shape it is today. Kelly always brings her smile and great attitude to every Canoe function; she has become one of the most respected veterans of this program in such a short time.

Adam has been involved with the Concrete Canoe Team for two years now. He co-led construction with Chad Lyttle, and paddled in both our competitions as a steersman. His determination shows not through words, but through direct action. His ability to find solutions to our complex construction problems has enabled us to develop and test new methods including this year’s decision to use a male/female mold for the canoe. Adam will graduate in the fall of 2006 with his B.S. in Civil Engineering. He will continue to be instrumental in training the next batch of paddlers for the men’s team as well as training our newest recruits the fine art of construction. Adam stands among the veteran core of students who have ensured this programs success and continuity.

Corbin has been chaired the past two years of hull design for Nevada. His understanding of our analytical software and the principles of an excellent hull design are second to none. He paddled in both competitions in 2006, his time in the canoe gave him invaluable expertise that can be applied to how he aids in designing the 2007 canoe. His main focus this year besides making an incredible canoe, is training the next generation of hull designers for future canoes. Corbin’s dedication has shown time and time again, his ability to hit our deadlines is irreplaceable; he is among the founding group of elite veterans.

Bryan brings his experience as an accomplished white water activist to our paddling team. A three year member, Bryan understands what kind of training will be required to get Nevada to the elite national level. Bryan paddled on both the 2005 and 2006 teams, and he expects his role as coach will possibly keep him on the sidelines this year as he directs our crews from the shore. Bryan’s unshakable fire and excitement is apparent on a continuous basis, he provides the needed encouragement to all paddlers to strive for their best. Bryan will graduate in the spring of 2007 with his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering.

Honorary Lifetime Team Member - Benjamin Mach
Journalism Student

Ben is infamous for showing up to every concrete canoe pour day in the last nine years (granted, there were no pour days between 1998 and 2004), and he always wears the same green shirt.  Since he has been such a dedicated non-team member for so many years, we finally decided to buy him a new shirt and make him an honorary member of the Nevada Concrete Canoe Team.  Congratulations, Ben!

Other Team Members

Brian has been with the Nevada team since the 2005 revival. He paddled for the 2005 team All In and constructed our favorite stand to date. For the 2006 team euphoria, Brian took on the responsibility of the logistics of purchasing the new transport trailer, and drove it to Stillwater, Oklahoma for the 2006 national competition. He paddled for us in 2006, and became a valued “go to” guy for his experience and leadership in our team. This year, Brian looks to paddle again for his final year, and he makes sure we get the trailer down to the marina for practice every weekend. Balancing his family, school, and work, Brian makes it look way to easy. He will graduate in December of 2006 with his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Kara has provided the power for our female paddling team over the past two years. She was responsible for the reinforcement procurement and testing for both All In and euphoria. She makes it a point to be very active in our organization even with her incredibly busy schedule, being President of our Society of Women Engineers for the past two years, and now our ASCE Secretary. She always brings a smile to whatever we might be doing, and her excitement is contagious at times. This year, Kara will once again be looking to anchor the women’s team as we go to our competitions. Kara will graduate this May of 2007 with her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Brittany became involved with the 2006 team through paddling both at the regional and national competitions. Always showing up to practices and working hard at paddling makes her a leader for this years paddling team. She has helped in various areas of the 2007 canoe—from hull design to the fiberglass boat construction, and all of the other small and important tasks. She had a great time with everyone else at nationals, making it hard for her to not give more time to the team. Brittany will graduate in December of 2007 with her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Dale Keller
Civil Engineering Student

Dale Keller became involved with the canoe program in 2006. Known as our best cheerleader, he makes life a whole lot more fun at the competitions and at practices. When he’s not busy running the student ASCE student chapter, he’s most likely found at our weekly meetings and paddling practices making sure things are running smoothly. He makes sure to have the student chapter and the canoe program in close communications, allowing the canoe program to have a great partner in our endeavors. This year, Dale looks to paddle for us, or at least make sure we tip the canoe over a few times as we practice. Dale will graduate with his Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering in May of 2007.

Tarin Strickler
Civil Engineering Student

Tarin (center) is another new recruit to the canoe program. She is interested in paddling this year, and her chances are looking great as her progress continues. Tarin will aid this year on the pour days and in the input for the development of the practices. She is working towards her Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. Another great recruit with a few years of eligibility, we hope she loves this as much as we do.

Matt Savage
Civil Engineering Student

Matt joins the 2007 team through his friendship with our paddling coach Bryan Truce. Since these two animals are roommates, you can expect the two of them are plotting far to much as to how to bring this team up to par with the national competition. Matt’s personality and experience in the outdoors brings him leadership and respect from the team in a very short time. He will paddle for us this year, and is helping to make sure Bryan has the assistance he needs to run practices.  His enthusiasm never lags, and his attitude is a welcome one when the going get tough for everyone. Between Matt and Maxon, we can expect their shirts off through the winter with as hard as they work at practice. Matt also is aiding heavily with the Mix Design this year, and his Materials Science degree will aid in his insight to help.