The Western Kentucky University concrete canoe team placed third overall at the national American Society of Civil Engineers civil engineering championship on June 27-29. 

WKU’s ASCE chapter was one of 19 teams that competed at Polytechnic State University in California and this was the fourth year the team had placed in the top five at the national competition, according to WKU News.

“The hard work, creativity, and leadership of the ASCE student chapter and WKU Concrete Canoe team continue to bring national attention to WKU and serve as a model of excellence for student organizations across the country,” Jason Wilson, civil engineering Instructor and faculty advisor for the WKU ASCE student chapter, said. 

The team also received the Robert Ridgeway Award, which recognizes the most outstanding ASCE chapter in the country. The team was also the runner up for the Richard J. Scranton Award, which recognizes “exceptional commitment to community service in student chapter activities”, according to WKU News. 

The theme for the canoe, Sweet Crete, was named in honor of Duncan Hines, the creator of the famously known dessert mix brand. 

“We picked Duncan Hines because he’s a Bowling Green native, a WKU alum, and someone who turned cake into a legacy,” Evan Brittenham, a senior from Bowling Green and captain of the concrete canoe team, said. “We’re honored to celebrate and share his story, especially as students walking the same campus he once did.”