Sand castle competition diverts summer-minded KU students

With a truckload of sand and sandcastle artists at work, Kansas University’s Wescoe Beach was a little more like the real thing Thursday.

“Except for the crashing waves in the background,” said Jimmy Hummert, a sand artist. “And the nice girls in bikinis.”

Jimmy Hummert, St. Louis senior, creates a medieval castle during the annual sand-castle tournament in front of Wescoe Hall at Kansas University. Student Union Activities on Thursday awarded prizes for the top sand creations. Hummert and his partner, senior Matt Clark of Eden Prairie, Minn., defended last year's title.

Hummert, St. Louis senior, defended his title at the annual sand-castle tournament sponsored by Kansas University’s Student Union Activities.

“I’m really competitive when it comes to sand castles,” Hummert said.

Hummert was joined this year by his partner-in-sculpting, Matt Clark, Eden Prairie, Minn., senior. Hummert said the design was a “mid- to late-Medieval design, but a little postmodernistic.”

The two-towered castle, which took 20 minutes to construct, was up against seven other works of sand in children’s swimming pools, including a turtle, a lizard and other castles.

Another sand sculpture.

Winners received a summer prize package, including a cooler, beach towel and a Frisbee.

The event originally was scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed because of rain. Thursday’s temperatures in the mid-60s weren’t exactly reminiscent of the warm beaches of Florida or California.

“At least it’s sunny,” said Molly Hess, the event’s organizer. “That’s all we can ask for.”

Jimmy Hummert, St. Louis senior, left, and Matt Clark, Eden Prairie, Minn., senior, create a medieval castle during the annual Sandcastle Play Day in front of Wescoe Hall at Kansas University. Prized were awarded by Student Union Activities Thursday for the top sand creations.

One of the sand castle creations.

A front view of the castle created by Jimmy Hummert, St. Louis senior, and Matt Clark, Eden Prairie, Minn., senior.

A reptilian sand creature was among the entries in the contest.