Meet the Mackay Muckers: Claire Roberts

The 41st annual International Collegiate Mining Games are coming to Virginia City, March 20-23. Teams from all over the world will compete in seven different traditional mining activities to fight for the title of best in the world. One of those teams are the University of Nevada’s very own Mackay Muckers! Get to know one of the team members, Claire Roberts.

Name: Claire Roberts

Year in School: Junior

Major: Geological Engineering

What are you looking forward to most about hosting the event this year?

I am looking forward to carrying on the tradition of the Intercollegiate Mining Games in our home state, with our rich history of mining. It’s a huge honor to be hosting this event for the 41st time in no other place than Virginia City, NV, the home of the Comstock Lode.

What made you want you want to join the Muckers?

My dad was on the Mackay Muckers when he attended UNR in the 80’s. So, the mining team wasn’t foreign to me. However, I saw Emma Baker and some members of the team competing in mucking and handsteel at Jim Butler Days (in Tonopah) a couple of years ago, and I’ve fallen in love with the competition ever since!

What is your favorite event?

My favorite events are mucking and handsteel. I enjoy the physical work, team aspect, and competitiveness of mucking. It’s the best feeling giving it your all filling up the ore cart and then running it full with your 4 teammates to finish your time. Handsteel is my number one. We compete at the 10 minute Nevada day and Jim Butler days competitions as well, so it is fun to make it a team sport and give it your all for 2 minutes each.

What do you want to do after you graduate?

After I graduate, I plan to stay in the industry and hopefully have a successful career in geological engineering and mining.