Back row, left to right: Gavin Parriott, Peru; Owen Heessel, Maxwell; Brodie Anderson, Bellevue; Kale Korth, Hartington; and Aiden Norman, Fullerton. Front row, left to right: Tate Backer, Kearney; Karter Nider, Bennet; Brittany Grammer, Cedar Rapids, IA; Hunter Holmgreen, Glava, KS; and Brock Burry, Byard. Utility line students competed in the College Lineman Rodeo events testing technical skill, safety knowledge and teamwork, including framing, obstacle climbing and cross‑arm change outs.
Northeast Community College utility line student competitors earned multiple top finishes at the College Lineman Rodeo hosted by Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, South Dakota, securing individual and team championships against other collegiate lineworker programs.
The College Lineman Rodeo tests students’ technical skills, safety knowledge, and teamwork through a series of structured events, including framing, climbing obstacles, cross-arm change outs, and a written knowledge exam.
“You can’t put a grade on what the students learned through this experience,” said Kyle Voecks, utility line instructor. “They learned how to work with each other, cheer on their teammates and build confidence in their skills. Competing alongside students from other colleges also showed them how important teamwork is in real-world situations, much like working mutual aid during storm restoration.”
Students earned multiple top finishes at the College Lineman Rodeo, including strong individual and team performances. Norman claimed the overall individual championship and placed second in the knowledge exam, while Anderson finished third in C1 framing. In team competition, Team 1 – Owen Heessel, Karter Nider, Hunter Holmgreen, and Brock Burry captured the overall team championship and also earned first place in the knowledge event and cross-arm change out. The team added a second-place finish in the change out event and third place in the obstacle climb. Team 2 – Gavin Parriott, Tate Backer, Kale Korth and Brodie Anderson also represented the college in the multi-event competition, testing their technical skills and teamwork alongside other collegiate programs.
The College Lineman Rodeo tests students’ technical skills, safety knowledge, and teamwork through a series of structured events, including framing, climbing obstacles, cross-arm change outs and a written knowledge exam.
