By Sophia Primera

The San Jacinto College Maritime program hosted the 2019 Maritime Throwdown Competition Houston Regional Qualifier. The annual industrial maritime line-handling and line-throwing skills competition was created to increase skill and safety while showcasing the maritime industry to the public.

The qualifier featured San Jac maritime students and industry professionals from six different maritime companies all competing for the best time in various obstacles simulating situations in the field. Prizes included a brand new 4X4 ATV and more than $15,000 for winners, who qualified for the finals in May 2020 in St. Louis, Mo., at the Inland Marine Expo (IMX).

The 2019 winners include: Aim challenge—Smalls Whitaker, Cheryl K Marine, winning the longest throw in distance caught with a single-part line; line handling course—first place, Stephen Conner, NGL Marine, and second place, Smalls Whitaker; and overall best time—Grant Seibolt, San Jac sophomore maritime student, who finished third overall in the throwdown. 

Photos by Sophia Primera and Melissa Trevizo, San Jacinto College