Student Team Earns Recognition for Excellence in Real-World Construction Problem Solving

RENO, Nev. – A team of Washington State University students has earned second place at the prestigious Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition, which is the largest construction management competition in the United States.

The competition, held in Reno, Nevada, attracted 1,800 students from 57 universities across 22 states. These students competed in high-pressure scenarios, solving complex construction problems in less than 24 hours, while presenting proposals and undergoing a challenging question-and-answer session in a business-like environment.

The WSU team, coached by Professor Jason Peschel and sponsored by Howard S. Wright Construction, competed in the commercial category, finishing second among 21 teams from universities in California, Oregon, and Washington. The competition was sponsored by Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

Real-World Application of Construction Management Skills

As part of the competition, the students were tasked with using a variety of construction management skills, including scheduling, estimating, site logistics, site safety, and technical writing, to develop a proposal for a real-life construction problem.

The team, which included Molly Mahoney, Garrett Nelson, Daniel Gutierrez, Eric Harrod, Ali Mock, and Camden Howard, with alternates Bradyn Melton and Jamie Ryder, demonstrated exceptional collaboration and ingenuity.

WSU also had teams competing in Design-Build and Heavy Civil categories. The teams were predominantly made up of construction management students, though the Design-Build team included some architecture students and the Heavy Civil team included construction engineering students.

A Tradition of Success for WSU’s Commercial Team

“I am so proud of how hard these students worked to grow their skills, capabilities, and team dynamic over the last several months,” said Professor Jason Peschel. “Their efforts contributed to a tradition of success—the commercial team has been on the podium in 13 of the last 16 years. There is such strong competition that having a team place is a wonderful statement about the strength of the program, the coaches, and the students.”

The competition is known for its tough standards and high-level industry involvement, making a podium finish a significant achievement for the students.

Industry Partners Contribute to Success

Several industry partners, including Exxel Pacific, Howard S. Wright, Mortenson, Graham, Atkinson, and Holland Construction, provided financial support, workshops, and practice problems for the WSU student teams before the competition.

“The fantastic industry support we have here at WSU is very much appreciated,” Peschel said. “The students benefit immensely from the time our industry partners invest in helping to prepare them for the competition. They are gaining invaluable skills and experiences that will benefit them in the classroom and their careers.”

This collaboration between WSU and industry professionals is a key component of the university’s construction management program, allowing students to gain real-world experience and create connections that will last throughout their careers.

A Bright Future for WSU Students

As the competition season wraps up, the WSU team’s performance is a reminder of the strong foundation and tradition of excellence within the university's construction management program. The students continue to excel thanks to their dedication, the invaluable support of industry partners, and the exceptional coaching and leadership they receive.

For Molly Mahoney, who was part of the second-place team, the experience is one that has already shaped her professional development: “This competition gave me the chance to apply everything I’ve learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. Working with my team was such a rewarding experience, and the industry feedback was invaluable. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here into my future career.”

As WSU looks ahead, the construction management program remains committed to fostering the next generation of construction leaders by providing students with opportunities to tackle challenging, real-world problems and develop the skills necessary to succeed in the industry.

Originally reported by Tina Hiding in WSU Insider.