Students from Northeast Community College performed well during the two-day event taking first place in two of the four team events and first and second in an individual competition.
Monty Johnson, dean of applied technology at Northeast, said he was pleased with the event, as well as the number of spectators who watched the rodeo.
“The event was a huge success and the competition was very close. It was great to see all the students showing off their skills and visit with other students comparing their educational experiences.”
UL instructors also compared notes and techniques with fellow instructors which, Johnson said, shows a camaraderie among the programs.
“Even though at the end of the day we had an awards ceremony, I would say everyone that participated received more than awards. Northeast is grateful to everyone who made this event a huge success.”
Thirty-six students from eight colleges - Alpena Community College (MI); Metropolitan Community College (MO); Metropolitan Community College (NE); Mitchell Technical College (SD); Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MN); Moraine Park Technical College (WS); Northeast Community College (NE); State Technical College (MO); and Western Nebraska Community College (NE) competed in the event.
Teams competed in three physical events and a written exam. The competition allows students the opportunity to practice skills and techniques that they have learned in preparation for their careers in the electrical industry.
In the written exam, the Northeast team of Brandon Bailey, Rushville, Andrew Yrkoski, Columbus, Bryce Buss, Beatrice, and Joseph Biegler, McCook, placed first, with the Northeast team of Andrew Walter, Fremont, Trent Anderson, Holdrege, Derek Weiler, Syracuse; and Jacob Czarnick, Columbus, taking second.
In cross arm change out, Northeast’s Bailey, Yrkoski, and Buss, took first in a time of 11:21. Teams from Mitchell Technical College and Northeast (Walter, Anderson, Weiler, and Czarnick) finished in second and third, respectively, with times of 12:35 and 13:02.
In the obstacle climb, the team of Bailey, Yrkoski, Buss, and Biegler finished second with a time of 14:46, six seconds behind a team from Alpena College.
In the individual cross arm change out competition, Biegler took first place honors in a time of 2:13, Yrkoski was second in a time of 2:41 and Kirk Liesemeyer, of Metropolitan Community College (NE) was third with a time of 2:45.
Other Northeast utility line students competing in the Lineworker’s Rodeo included Brandon Araujo, Hastings; Cody Christiansen, Marquette; Tyler Havlovic, Prague; Connor Lusk, Beatrice; Connor Neal, Norfolk; Dunncan Rogers, McCook; Andrew Schwarting, Abilene, KS; and Jared Wiebelhaus, Fordyce.
Northeast’s utility line instructors also assisted in the event. They include Matt Johnson, Tom McKeon, Roger Nelson, Cleve Stolpe, Kyle Voecks, Larry Oetken, job training and safety coordinator, Kory Hildebrand, UL off-campus instructor, and Ed Lewis and Ryan Cook, Northeast truck driving instructors.
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