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This is the place to look if you want students' opinions on the goings-on of the competition. We're not promising anything enlightening, but it will most likely be amusing. We'll be making most of the commentary, but we're not opposed to guest writers. Just email us if you want to comment.

Display Commentary - June 23, 2002

Over the last two days ConcreteCanoe.org has had the opportunity to view the displays of the various schools competing in the 2002 ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe competition. We’ve looked at aesthetics, technology, presentation, creativity and all of the other aspects that go into building a good display and we’ve come up with the five displays that we believe are the best in this year’s competition.

Let’s start with the school that had the best display last year, Clemson University. Last year Clemson modeled their display off the theme of “Good Fortune” and they did it with the perfect blend of showmanship and technology. They were able to get their point across in a way that was very fun for all involved. This year Clemson has done it again! They have constructed a display that blends the technology of their canoe with the theme of “Accomplice.” The display is set in what appears to be a detective’s office and the technology is presented as evidence in the case against the “Accomplice.” ConcreteCanoe.org says that the Clemson University Display will easily finish in the top 3 of all the displays in this year’s competition.

Now on to the display that could very easily be the best of them all, Oklahoma State University. OSU has used a very innovative construction scenario over the last couple of years and has now begun to perfect the injection mold system to the point where they are producing boats of a very high caliber. This year OSU has elevated their delivery in the form of their display. Quite possibly the most elegant display in the competition, this display could absolutely be “The Difference” for OSU this year. They have managed to produce a display that presents their information in a very appealing and easy to see manner. ConcreteCanoe.org says the OSU display will finish in the top 2.

Université Laval has improved every year that they’ve been at this competition; it’s easy to see why they are so dominant in defending their Canadian national title. We must admit that the Laval display is not the most aesthetically appealing from afar. However, upon entering the display ywe were immediately impressed by the very professional graphics. The Laval team also went a step further by showing a time-lapse video of the construction of their canoe. Another innovative feature of the Laval display is their use of computer animation to show the dynamic finite element analysis that they have been doing on their canoes. Clearly moving in the same direction as the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the Laval team seems to have the most advanced technology at this year’s competition. CC. Org says the Laval team will improve yet again and finish with one of the top 3 displays.

With a lot of hard work, dedication and determination, the University of Florida is the proud representative of the powerhouse southeastern region, and they are doing by playing their theme to a ‘T.’ With a dark, yet clean and direct display, the University of Florida is “Intimigating” their way to be one of the nation’s best Concrete Canoe teams. The University of Florida display has all the information as well as some of the interesting side notes that will make this display a real treat for the judges. They’ve used small models to simulate the performance of their canoe in the water and they’ve done the research to show they are on the cutting edge in terms of technology in this competition. CC.org says this will easily be a top five display.

Drexel University is another school that has continually improved year after year and this year they pulled out all the stops to work their theme in with their display. Drexel University’s Canoe is called “Canoompa Loompa” and the display is a model of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory. Drexel’s display is easily the most creative display in the competition and if the same response holds true from past competitions, the creative displays hold a special place in the heart of the judges. We believe they will finish in the top 5 in the display.

Other note worthy displays are Michigan State University, University of Oklahoma, North Carolina State University and the hosting school, the University of Wisconsin Madison.

This year has been one of the best years in terms of the quality of the displays that competing schools have presented. There are many displays that are very very good, so pulling the five that we think will be the best was very difficult. We at ConcreteCanoe.org are very sure that the judges will have their hands full in determining who has the absolute best display in this year’s competition.

The Front Line by Dr. John Gilbert of Team UAH

These are Dr. Gilbert's top picks for the 2002 competition. Click on the link for the full article.

The University of Florida edged out defending champion Team UAH at the Southeast Regional. UF has a very focused effort and a lightning fast boat. Their women's team finished the sprint in 1:12:00, beating the record set by Clemson last year at nationals. UF's men's team finished only fractions of a second behind the new sprint record set by UAH (1:05:97). The bottom line is that UF has what it takes to win and, if they can keep their cool, will finish top five.

Clemson has been the regional representative from the Carolina's Conference for ten years - the longest consecutive regional winning streak in the game. This year, 3CT (Clemson's Concrete Canoe Team) will be out to win their third national title. They definitely have the experience, teamwork, and technical delivery that it takes to win. Provided that 3CT's women's team returns and their men's team improves slightly, they will match UF in the water. If no major glitches occur in their delivery, Clemson will finish top five.

The Universite Laval returns to the ASCE/MBT National as a five time Canadian National Champion. They have become a major player in the U.S. competition and will be striving to improve on their fourth place finish at last year's competition. If Laval enhances their technical delivery and has what it takes to match UF and 3CT in the water, they will be the first international competitor to take the U.S. title. Every indication is that Laval will finish top five.

Oklahoma State poses a very dangerous threat to the top competitors. They have learned to play the game very well and have had their sights set on the national title for the past few years. With their experience, one of the best technical deliveries in the game, and their ability to field a very fast boat, OSU will challenge for the lead and should finish top five.

The University of Washington returns after missing last year's competition by failing to pass the flotation test at the regional competition. You can bet your bottom dollar that this veteran team won't be making many mistakes this year. Never underestimate Michigan State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Both schools have taken top honors before, always have a good product, and are strong in the water. Western Kentucky has steadily improved their placement in their last five outings at the national level and chances are very good that this trend will continue.

There are a number of other schools who have or could place top five, even upset the field and win, or influence the final outcome by scoring major points in one or more categories. It's not like we haven't seen upsets like this before. In 1997, for example, FIT came to nationals for the first time as the Southeast region's runner up and sailed past everyone to win the national title. All I can say is that the big guns better keep a watchful eye on fierce competitors such as Drexel, University of California-Berkeley, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of New Orleans.

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