Texas teams sweep top spots in 2018 competition
The TRA CReWSers jump into action during the new KSB Maintenance Event at WEFTEC 2018. Photo courtesy of Kieffer Photography.
Three teams representing the Water Environment Association (WEA) of Texas took home awards for earning top scores in Division 1 and Division 2 Operations Challenge at WEFTEC® 2018 in New Orleans.
The Trinity River Authority (TRA; Dallas) CReWSers claimed first in Division 1 while the Pooseidons of North Richland Hills (Texas) earned first and the Wastewater Warriors earned second in Division 2.
The teams attribute their success, at least in-part, to practicing together at the TRA facility.
“Friendly competition” helped the teams “get a little bit better,” said Quintin Winters, captain of the TRA CReWSers. “It’s a good way to mimic competition environment without actually competing for the trophy . . . It gives you that edge to keep going.”
Members of the Pooseidons focus on completing the Process Control Event. Photo courtesy of Kieffer Photography.
The Pooseidons success can be attributed to all of the support and assistance the team received, said Robert Burgess, coach of the team.
“The success, so far, that we have achieved would not have been possible without the fundamental understanding of true teamwork that we learned by training with TRA CReWSers,” he said. “[And] the sharing is caring philosophy that really the whole TRA family has shown from day one.” The team also received support from management and coworkers to be able to participate.
Overcoming challenges was made easier by the support the Wastewater Warriors received.
“Team adversity is always a big challenge but when you have a great organization that gives you the proper tools and time to overcome it, anything can be accomplished,” said Wastewater Warriors team coach and captain Clifford Woods.
The fast-paced, exciting event tests the skill of competitors in five events: Process Control, Laboratory, Safety, Collection Systems, and KSB Maintenance. This year, 44 teams competed in two divisions to earn top spots overall and in each event. The top three scores overall and each event in both divisions are below. For more details about the teams, and Operations Challenge 2018, stay tuned for the December issue of WE&T.
Division 1 Overall |
Division 2 Overall |
 First: TRA CReWSers, Water Environment Association of Texas, 466.80 |
 First: Pooseidons, Water Environment Association of Texas, 396.72 |
 Second: 2. OCWA Jets, Water Environment Association of Ontario, 459.90 |
 Second: Wastewater Warriors, Water Environment Association of Texas, 388.89 |
 Third: Elevated Ops, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association, 440.29 |
 Third: 3. Wasatch All Stars, Water Environment Association of Utah, 381.80 |
Process Control Event |
Laboratory Event |
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|
Division 1 |
Division 2 | Division 1 | Division 2 |
 First: TRA CReWSers, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 First: Ocean State Alliance, New England Water Environment Association |
 First: Elevated Ops, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association |
 First: Ocean State Alliance, New England Water Environment Association |
 Second: Elevated Ops, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association |
 Second: Franken Foggers, New England Water Environment Association |
 Second: TRA CReWSers, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 Second: Shovelers, Central States Water Environment Association |
 Third: Controlled Chaos, Water Environment Association of South Carolina
|
 Third: NERSD Insane in the Force Main, Ohio Water Environment Association |
 Third: LA Wrecking Crew, California Water Environment Association |
 Third: Team HRSD, Virginia Water Environment Association |
KSB Maintenance Event |
Collection Systems Event |
||
| Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 1 | Division 2 |
 First: Controlled Chaos, Water Environment Association of South Carolina |
 First: Central Weber Vortex, Water Environment Association of Utah |
 First: OCWA Jets, Water Environment Association of Ontario |
 First: Pooseidons, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 Second: OCWA Jets, Water Environment Association of Ontario |
 Second: Wastewater Warriors, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 Second: TRA CReWSers, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 Second: Double Duty, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association |
 Third: Elevated Ops, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association |
 Third: Wasatch All Stars, Water Environment Association of Utah |
 Third: Texas Aqua Techs, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 Third: Lethal Concentration, Water Environment Association of South Carolina |
Safety Event |
Spirit Awards |
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| Division 1 | Division 2 | ||
 First: OCWA Jets, Water Environment Association of Ontario |
 First: Central Weber Vortex, Water Environment Association of Utah |
 Best Fan Support: Charlie’s Angels, Water Environment Association of South Carolina |
 Best Uniform: Team HRSD, Virginia Water Environment Association |
 Second: Elevated Ops, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association |
 Second: South Mesquite Rangers, Water Environment Association of Texas |
 Most Creative Team Photo: Acueducto de Bogota, ACODAL (Colombian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering) |
 Best Effort: Shovelers, Central States Water Environment Association |
 Third: Controlled Chaos, Water Environment Association of South Carolina |
 Third: Team HRSD, Virginia Water Environment Association |
 Best Hard Hat Design, Columbus Outfalls, Ohio Water Environment Association |
 Team Congeniality: AySA 4KV, AIDIS (Argentine Association of Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Sciences) |
| All photos courtesy of Kieffer Photography. | |||
November 30, 2018
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