June 18, 2007
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Matching its best finish ever, Western Kentucky University’s “Rocked Out” rolled to fourth-
place overall in last weekend’s 20th annual National Concrete Canoe Competition in Seattle.
WKU posted its seventh top-10 finish in the past eight years, which includes a fourth-place finish in 2002. WKU advanced to the national competition by winning its 12th consecutive Ohio Valley regional title.
“The students worked tirelessly for many months working on the concrete canoe as well as many hours of practice in preparation for the races,” said Shane Palmquist, assistant professor of civil engineering. “As the canoe team adviser, I was very proud of the team’s effort during the competition. And, I am extremely pleased that they were rewarded for their hard work and dedication.”
This year’s American Society of Civil Engineers’ national competition was hosted by the University of Washington and featured students from 22 of the nation’s top engineering schools.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison won its fifth straight national title followed by University of Florida, University of Nevada-Reno, WKU, California State Polytechnic University-San Luis Obispo, New Mexico State University, University of Oklahoma, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Michigan Technological University.
During the June 14-16 competition, WKU’s civil 
engineering students placed second in oral presentation, third in final product, ninth in women’s sprint race, fifth in men’s sprint race, ninth in coed sprint race, ninth in women’s endurance race and sixth in men’s endurance race.
WKU concrete canoe team members include Brandon Bagby of Greensburg, Sarah Barker of Frankfort, Brian Ferguson of Greensburg, Joshua Melson of Campbellsville, Devon Moore of Bowling Green, Stuart Payton of Bowling Green, Bryan Phillips of Glasgow, Parker Sloan of Shawnee Mission, Kan., Seth Warren of Antioch, Calif., Jon Whitaker of Rockfield, David Coomes of Philpot, Sean O’Bryan of Whitesville, Catie Gay of Evansville, Ind., Kelly Stolt of Nashville, Tenn., Kal Vencill of Richmond, Sarah Bertke of Reynolds Station, Erica Rigney of Mount Washington, Chris Simpson of Bowling Green, and LeAndra Chandler of Livermore.
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Shane Palmquist at (270) 745-2919.
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