KUA Linemen Head to Memphis for National Competition

Hosted by the American Public Power Association, the fifth annual Public Power Lineworkers’ Rodeo attracts the best linemen from utilities across the nation to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. The event begins with a series of training and safety courses on April 15 followed by the competition on April 16.

“This annual rodeo enables linemen to test their knowledge and skills in a fun, competitive environment,” said Chris Gent, KUA’s manager of corporate communications. “Competitors are scored based on speed of completion and their adherence to proper safety procedures.”

There are two levels of competition within the rodeo: journeyman team and apprentice. A journeyman team consists of three members – two climbers and a ground person. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker has four or fewer years of experience and competes as an individual.

This year’s competition includes 60 journeyman teams and 69 apprentices.

The journeyman competition consists of five timed events: alley arm insulator replacement, crossarm change out, hurtman rescue, oil circuit recloser change out and URD terminator/elbow installation. The apprentice competition includes four timed events and a written test.

KUA’s journeyman team is made up of Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy and David Wolfe with Luis Santiago serving as alternate. Dustin Kelley and Chris Ketner will compete individually in the apprentice competition. Bill Groover and Alberto Mercado are serving as support personnel.

KUA linemen competed in the Florida Lineman’s Competition on April 2, earning two trophies and competition scores of 500 and 494 points respectively out of 500 possible points.