LAFAYETTE TODAY
Best Finish in Bridge Competition
Civil engineering seniors Daniel Kucz, Eric Backlund, Trevor Ortolano, and Craig Bloom posted the College’s best finish ever in the National Student Steel Bridge Competition, placing fifth among 43 teams at California State University, Northridge,
May 25 and 26.
Lafayette had a shot at posting
the top overall score, but penalties for dropped hardware compromised an otherwise outstanding performance in construction speed, one of six  categories of judging. Lafayette’s top showing was in construction efficiency, where it placed third.
“With more than 200 engineering programs entering nationally, Lafayette is proud of its finish,” says adviser Stephen Kurtz, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.
Teams advanced to Northridge
by placing first or second in
18 regional competitions through-out the country. Lafayette has won its regional for two straight years and qualified for nationals three years in a row.
Videographer Denis Danatzko P’07 followed the team from the beginning of design planning in February through the regional in early May and is producing a documentary. Joseph Danatzko ’07 is one of several students who were involved in designing and fabricating the bridge prior to
the national competition.
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