IRAs in the News
Concrete Canoe Sets New Record
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Cal Poly concrete canoe team claimed its sixth national title a
t the American Society of Civil Engineers Concrete Canoe Competition this summer. The latest win snapped a four-way tie with UC Berkeley, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, making Cal Poly the most championship-winning school in the event’s 35-year history.
Cal Poly Rodeo Team Advances to the National Finals
Eleven members of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team qualified to compete in the 73rd annual College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, on June 12-18, following their performance at the West Coast Regional 
Finals held May 13-15 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Student-athletes who advanced to the finals (delete on) are: Aimee Davis of San Luis Obispo and Sierra Spratt of Phoenix in goat tying and breakaway roping; Tyree Cochrane of San Luis Obispo in breakaway roping; Madison Camozzi of Petaluma, California, in barrel racing; Gracely Speth of Guadalupe in breakaway roping; Quintin McWhorter of San Luis Obispo in saddle bronc riding and team roping; Karson Mebane of Bakersfield in saddle bronc riding; Pierce Wold of Wilton, California, Tanner Patino and Cutter Machado of Santa Maria in team roping; and Cole Tart of San Luis Obispo in bareback riding. “These students continue to show up, work hard and pursue their dreams,” said Cal Poly Rodeo Coach Ben Londo. “They will represent Cal Poly well on the national stage in Casper.”
Students’ Sustainable Packaging Design for San Luis Obispo Business Wins First Place in National Competition
After a year of research and development, a team of graphic communications students gained hands-on experience designing new sustainable packaging and labels for a San Luis Obispo-base
d gourmet cupcake and dessert business — and took first place for its effort. Seven students participated in the Phoenix Challenge, a yearlong project in which students help a local small business rebrand and market itself with materials using the flexographic print process, a technique that uses a flexible plate to print on a variety of materials. The students, Naomi Furuya, Mandy Ko, Isabel Lao, Kaitlin Sakae, Ashley Rubens, Madeline Wales and Sadie Curdts, won first place at the college-level competition in March against teams from across the U.S. This year’s theme was sustainable packaging for sustainable business, and the students focused on helping a local small business reduce packaging costs and make its brand stand out.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMPETITION