|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
2001 STATE TAPPING CONTEST |
|
What excitement! Those attending the 2001 State Tapping Contest at the
Public Square in Cleveland were treated to a tense, down to the wire
showdown between two past champion teams.
The contest hosted an outstanding field of 6 teams: Cincinnati, two Cleveland teams, Columbus, Montgomery County, and Toledo. In spite of the large field of teams, the contest was kept on schedule by the fast work of Cleveland clean up crews. Judges Ronald "Moe" Jennings, Ron Schwarzwalder and Jack Collins were kept busy timing, watching and assessing the final product. Following the first round of taps, the City of Columbus was in first place with a time of 1:26.50 followed closely by Toledo at 1:34.84. All teams still had a chance at the title though as the second round of taps started. As the second round proceeded, all teams showed an improvement in their scores but no one had yet beat the Columbus time when Toledo came up for their second tap. The Toledo team composed of Dave Szumigala, Bob Phillips, Craig Long and Terry Russeau gave it all they had and ended their second run with a raw time of 1:18.02. Following the judges' assessment and the addition of penalties, they had a final time of 1:24.02. This meant, of course, that Columbus would have to make a second tap. The Columbus team, the 2000 Champions and which recently placed fifth at the Nationals in Washington, DC is composed of Chris Scott, Mike Spriggs, Bruce Farley and Patrick Crumley. They also gave an outstanding effort and had a raw time of 1:17.90. However, following the judges' penalties, their final time was 1:25.90 putting them in second place to Toledo. Third place was taken by Montgomery County who posted a respectable time of 1:49.68 in only their second year of competition. Their team members included Bob Jones, Gary Whaley, Jeff Hasty and William Baker. In fourth place was the 1994 Championship team from Cleveland returning after several years absence. Team members included: Steven Sullivan, Carl Ashley, Tony Lorenzo and Jose Rivera. Cincinnati, a team made entirely of engineering department employees, took fifth place with team members Pat Tierney, Sean Cummings, Kevin Bennett and Jeffrey Coorey. Cleveland's second team competing in their first ever contest took sixth place. Team members were Gerardo Rivera, Barrett Dorsey, Donald Phillips and Mike Perciado. The first and second place teams each received a custom made trophy. All teams received gifts for each team member provided by the AWWA Ohio Section and other tapping contest sponsors. Of course, many thanks goes out to all of those that participated in this year's contest as competitors, team sponsors, contest sponsors, set up and clean up crews, judges and the many other tasks that make this undertaking come together. Special thanks goes to those companies that provided the pipe, copper, brass, tools and other services including: City of Cleveland Division of Water, City of Cleveland Division of Parks, Properties and Recreation, Everett J. Prescott, Hughes Supply, Julian Supply, Malcolm Pirnie, Mueller Company, Riehl Systems Company, US Filter, Underground Pipe and Valve, and Utility Service and Supply. Without this sponsorship, our contest would not be possible. Toledo's time not only made them the champions, it also set a new state time record! Toledo will now have the opportunity to represent the Ohio Section at the 2002 Nationals being held in New Orleans. There they will go up against teams from throughout the United States and Canada. Good luck Toledo! |
