RANDY METCALF/Arizona Daily Wildcat An employee of Marco Crane and Rigging Co. helps to lift a rock, which is used for drilling competitions every year, away from Old Main Friday afternoon. The rock, which was out of room for more holes, will be replaced by a new rock to be used in the competitions.

Boulder needed for annual UA contest

About 30 people paused Friday at noon to watch the unloading of a large rock on the east side of Old Main.

The rock replaced an older one and will be used for the annual drilling competition hosted by the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering. Each year, students compete to see who can drill the farthest into the rock in two minutes.

"Rock drilling is a contest that goes back in the mining culture, clear back in the 19th century all around the West. Miners have always tested their drilling speed. This competition is just a continuation of a tradition," said Spencer Titley, a geosciences professor.

The rock that was removed was so full of drill holes, it could no longer safely be used for the competition.

The new boulder was donated from the Phelps Dodge Sierrita mine, and Marco Crane and Rigging Co. employees volunteered their time and equipment.

Perplexed by the 26,000-pound piece of granite, most of the gatherers had no idea what the new boulder was for.

"I don't know what's going on," said Javier Escobar, an MIS sophomore. "Maybe they're moving the rock for scenic purposes. It must be something big because there are cameras."

"I think it has something to do with how old Old Main is," said Hillery Kemp, an undeclared freshman. "I hope it isn't another piece of junk they are spending money on."

A group of geological engineering students facilitated the move.

"It went well. We got it in a good spot. The front face will make it easy for students to watch the drilling competition," said Nick Asbury, a geological engineering senior.

For at least 50 years, the competition has challenged the students' physical strength and mental focus. Each rock lasts two to five years before it must be replaced.

Competitors have two minutes to lift the 120-pound jack-leg drill, insert the long, heavy steel drill bit, align the drill within a white grid and drive the drill as far as possible into the rock.

Last year, Asbury took first place by drilling about 34 inches into the solid mass.

"I would have kicked your butt if I hadn't messed up," said David Vatterrodt, a mining and geological engineering senior.

But Vatterrodt admitted he wasn't too disappointed. Although the competition is friendly, the only prize for the winner is being thrown into the fountain in front of Old Main.

"It was freezing. It took my breath away," Asbury said. "The funny thing was watching people try to pick me up."

Women who compete get to work in teams of two.

"We beat most of the guys last year. I think we got third," said Jessica Morgan, a mining and engineering junior.

The competition, held the third week in February, is open to any student in any major.

Richard Colonna, an optical and material engineering junior, thinks he could fair well in the competition if he could use a laser.

"There are some pretty neat lasers out there. If you could use a cutting laser, you should be able to dissolve the rock," Colonna said. "And you can always turn up the juice."

Students interested in competing against the mining and geological engineering students in the rock drilling competition, with only a jack-leg drill, can sign up by contacting the secretary in the mining and geological engineering office in Room 229 of the John W. Harshbarger building.

This year's competition will be held Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.

The department will only take the first 10 to 15 students to sign up. A mandatory training session will be held for all competitors at the San Xavier Student Mine, approximately one hour south of Tucson. Maps and rides can be provided.