Ethan Fregoe of Massena and Nathan Archer of Canton (background) work with Andrew Walker of Camden (foreground) to rapidly assemble SUNY Canton’s steel bridge.

CANTON -- Students from SUNY Canton's engineering technology programs will compete against teams from 50 other colleges and universities at the National Student Steel Bridge Competition.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and American Institute of Steel Construction competition will begin on May 23 at the University of Akron in Ohio.

The SUNY Canton ASCE student chapter, “the steel bridge team,” recently finished third in the Upstate Regional Competition. Their high-scoring entry earned them an invitation to the next level of competition.

"The team picked up a couple of avoidable penalties at regionals," said steel bridge team adviser Paul Hitchman, an instructional support associate in SUNY Canton's Canino School of Engineering Technology. "With a little work they can continue to be competitive at the national level."

The team designed the scale-model bridge to be extremely light, while maintaining its structural integrity during weight testing. pointed out that the team did win first place in the lightness category.

"I'm very confident in our bridge and in our team," said ASCE Student Chapter President Alyssa Baker of Boonville, who pointed out the team took first place in lightness. "We are going to make a few changes so we can place higher at the national competition."

The students placed fourth in construction speed, eighth in aesthetics, second in stiffness, seventh in economy and second in efficiency at the regional competition.

The bridge team is seeking donations to offset travel costs for their trip to Akron, which are estimated to be more than $7,000. To support the team, contact the SUNY Canton College Foundation at 386-7127 or email foundation@canton.edu.