Engineering students place third at ASCE-UESI Surveying Competition

A team of JMU Engineering students made an impressive debut this spring at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (ASCE-UESI) Surveying Competition, earning third place among seven universities across Virginia and West Virginia.

The competition promotes leadership and innovation among undergraduate civil engineering students, preparing them for careers in infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and geospatial technology. Teams were judged on field performance, accuracy, and a written proposal.

Brady Lane and Will Toth (co-captains), Mallory Hurst, Sydney Witcher, and Nicholas LeMay applied real-world surveying techniques and problem-solving skills to a series of technical challenges such as topographic mapping, determining inaccessible points, and calculating cut-and-fill volumes. When equipment difficulties arose during the cut-and-fill task, the team adapted quickly, switching to manual measurements and hand calculations to complete the challenge. Their ability to troubleshoot under pressure helped secure the third-place finish.

"This was JMU Engineering’s first time competing in the ASCE-UESI Surveying Competition, and I’m incredibly proud of what our students accomplished," said Dr. Daniel Castaneda, Engineering professor and faculty advisor who guided the team. "Their teamwork, adaptability, and spirit truly showed throughout the competition, and earning third place is a wonderful achievement for a first-year team."

Lane, who helped organize and lead the team, said the idea for joining started in the classroom. “Will and I had surveying experience from internships, and we thought it would be fun to put those skills to the test against other schools,” he said. “Seeing our practice come together as a team reminded me why I enjoy engineering.”

For Witcher, who will begin a field engineering internship this summer, the competition offered valuable real-world experience. “Through this opportunity, I gained more confidence working with surveying equipment and strengthened technical skills that will carry over into my fieldwork,” she said.

Castaneda’s mentorship was instrumental to the team’s success. “He gave us the advice we needed while encouraging us to learn through practice,” Witcher said. “He played an essential role not just for our team, but in ensuring we could compete at this level.”

“It’s a proud moment for us and something we hope inspires more students to get involved in competitions like this,” said Lane. “Start early, get comfortable with Civil 3D, and be willing to adapt. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to dive in—you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.”

The ASCE-UESI Surveying Competition was part of the 2025 ASCE Virginias' Student Symposium, including networking with professionals, technical sessions, and career development workshops.