A little over two weeks after the country’s public power lineworkers packed up and headed home from the rodeo in Wake Forest, lineworkers from 17 public power communities in North Carolina met in Morganton for the 2018 North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems (NCAMES) Rodeo. Brooks Kirby, director of Morganton’s electric system, said the NCAMES Rodeo is where you’ll see “the best of the best of the linemen in the municipalities of North Carolina.” The lineworkers didn’t disappoint.
Competing in many of the same events as in the national rodeo, 27 apprentice and 46 journeyman lineworkers demonstrated their best techniques and safe work practices for friendly but tough competition in Catawba Meadows Park.
Scott Hardison and Angel Valdovinos from Kinston Public Utilities took the top two spots in the Apprentice category. The City of High Point’s Isaac Spillman landed the third.
A remarkable 15 of the 23 journeyman competitors received perfect overall scores. Dustin Prince and Jon Rose from the Town of Apex took first and third place, respectively. Greenville Utilities Commission’s David Guy placed second.
Future lineworkers from local high schools and community colleges were onsite to participate in mock rodeo events and practice working with tools of the trade under the watchful eyes of Morganton lineworkers. Looks like the competition in the Apprentice category may be tougher next year!