While it is often said the third time’s the charm, this isn’t always the case. It took senior Gavin Daniel about six broken bridges to come up with his winning design that is taking him to the International Bridge Building Contest on May 10 along with junior Juan Cedeno Torres.

As Autocad students, Daniel and Torres qualified for the competition after earning first and second place, respectively, at the regional competition held at Wenatchee High School on March 15. Fifty-four competitors from across Central Washington competed, according to Autocad teacher Doug Merrill.

“Students build wooden bridges that weigh less than an ounce and the best can hold over 100 pounds,” Merrill said. “The winner is determined by how efficient it is, the weight of the bridge is divided into how much weight it holds for a percentage. Gavin’s was 2,195 percent and Juan’s was almost 2,000 percent.”

Torres also won the Strongest Bridge award. “It was impressive to see how hard each of the boys worked to get there winning designs. Gavin spent a great deal of time studying bridge design, tested one many times and kept his very light,” Merrill said. “Juan took a different strategy and built several bridges and tested different designs, going for a heavier, sturdier bridge.”

Both Daniels and Torres are going to the International competition for the first time. In the past two years, WHS has sent one student to Internationals, Merrill said. In 2012, WHS student Jacob Cantrell was the International Champion.

Internationals will be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Close to 60 competitors from more than 25 states compete.