Over the summer, frontline teams from utility companies across the country competed in electric linemen and gas worker rodeos that highlighted the skills, bravery and camaraderie that go into delivering energy. Just as they do every day, Xcel Energy teams brought top-level dedication and expertise to the competition.
With events such as pole climbing, hurt man rescue, meter set, service installs and a digging competition, crews showed how they take the real-world tasks they do safely and efficiently every day, but in record time for the competition.
Judges are former line workers and gas workers that generously volunteer their time to be at each event. The competition is timed and judged to ensure all participants adhere to all safety protocols.
“Everything we do starts with safety,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy, who attended the inaugural North Star Rodeo in Minnesota this June. “I’m looking forward to seeing who shows up as the best of the best.”
As the contestants will tell you, it’s not just about the events. It’s about the community they build with their teammates to do the work every day. Communication and trust are keys to winning and delivering reliable energy.
Bringing their families along for the ride is the icing on the cake. Their families don’t get to see them doing jobs like restoring power after a storm or setting a meter at a new home.
“It’s really great to see and have their families, and their children especially, see what type of work they do,” said Lauren Gilliland, senior vice president, Gas.
At the inaugural North Star Linemen Rodeo in Minnesota, the first-place team was made up of Andy Uthoff, Cory Hestekin and Riley Cade from IBEW 953, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Winners at the Lonestar Linemen Rodeo in Texas included Clay Thompson, Dillon Selman, Joseph Webster, Sterling Justus, O.J. Zapata, Sean Williams, Nash Baker, Colten Hamilton, Wyatte Howell, Shea Bramlet, Patrick Kennedy, Danny Marque, Keelan Bain, Greggory Adame, Christopher Green and Colby Henderson.
Each of those rodeo winners will go on to compete in the International Lineman Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, in October.
From the Mile High Gas Rodeo in Colorado, the winners were Chad Davis, Zach McCoy, Ben Lucero, Jake Grenier, Luis Mireles, Derek Villasana, Kyle Saucedo, Jason Purcella, David DeJarnette, Dane Fuller, Tyler Cantrell and Chris Leprowse. Minnesota also sent an all-female team to compete. Tori Scheele, Jessica Cramlet, Ellie Rumphol along with the winners from Colorado represented Xcel Energy in Florence, Kentucky, at the National Gas Rodeo, Sept. 10-12.