Lineworkers from across the Tennessee Valley came together to showcase their skills and compete in the 27th Annual Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo June 7-8 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Hosted by Chattanooga EPB, the competition was held at the Tennessee Riverpark.
The rodeo kicked off on the afternoon of June 7 with a flag-raising ceremony by EPB Chattanooga lineworkers. Seniors and Individual Journeymen competed on June 7, and Team and Apprentice events took place on June 8. On the evening of June 8, competitors were recognized and rewarded for excellence in safety, skill, and knowledge in their field at an awards banquet held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The results from each category are as follows:
SENIORS
Cutout Challenge
3rd Place: Chris Gossett, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Charlie Brown, Lenoir City Utilities Board
1st Place: Travis Adams, Lenoir City Utilities Board
Hurtman Rescue
3rd Place: Charlie Brown, Lenoir City Utilities Board
2nd Place: Robert Gray, Blue Ridge EMC
1st Place: Chris Gossett, Middle Tennessee Electric
Obstacle Course
3rd Place: Charlie Brown, Lenoir City Utilities Board
2nd Place: Durwood Burks, Nashville Electric Service
1st Place: Chris Gossett, Middle Tennessee Electric
Overall Senior
5th Place: Scott Deese, CDE Lightband
4th Place: Durwood Burks, Nashville Electric Service
3rd Place: Mike Diggs, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Charlie Brown, Lenoir City Utilities Board
1st Place: Chris Gossett, Middle Tennessee Electric
JOURNEYMAN
A-6 Poly Change
3rd Place: Dusty Miller, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Branson Hammrich, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Nolan Farris, Middle Tennessee Electric
Hurtman Rescue
3rd Place: Nolan Farris, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Branson Hammrich, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Ryan Calderon, Jackson Energy Authority
Jack Jumper
3rd Place: Ryan Calderon, Jackson Energy Authority
2nd Place: Dusty Miller, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Nolan Farris, Middle Tennessee Electric
Obstacle Course
3rd Place: Ryan Calderon, Jackson Energy Authority
2nd Place: Dusty Miller, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Nolan Farris, Middle Tennessee Electric
Overall Journeyman
5th Place: Peyton Robinette, Lenoir City Utilities Board
4th Place: Daniel Pease, Nashville Electric Service
3rd Place: Ryan Calderon, Jackson Energy Authority
2nd Place: Dusty Miller, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Nolan Farris, Middle Tennessee Electric
TEAMS
A-6 Polybell Change-out
3rd Place: Team 1 – Southwest Tennessee EMC
2nd Place: Team 17 – Huntsville Utilities
1st Place: Team 18 – Huntsville Utilities
Hurtman Rescue
3rd Place: Team 18 – Huntsville Utilities
2nd Place: Team 1 – Southwest TN EMC
1st Place: Team 2 – Middle Tennessee Electric
Mystery Event
3rd Place: Team 1 – Southwest TN EMC
2nd Place: Team 18 – Huntsville Utilities
1st Place: Team 2 – Middle Tennessee Electric
Tap Change
3rd Place: Team 19 – Huntsville Utilities
2nd Place: Team 13 – Memphis Light, Gas & Water
1st Place: Team 18 – Huntsville Utilities
Overall
5th Place: Team 22 – Chattanooga EPB
4th Place: Team 3 – Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Team 17 – Huntsville Utilities
2nd Place: Team 2 – Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Team 18 – Huntsville Utilities
APPRENTICE
Written Test
3rd Place: Brandon Carden, Huntsville Utilities
2nd Place: Devin Smith, Sevier County Electric System
1st Place: Michael Farragut, Sevier County Electric System
A-6 Poly Change
3rd Place: Caleb Dunsavage, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Trey Hatch, Jackson Energy Authority
1st Place: Dylan Parker, Middle Tennessee Electric
Cutout Challenge
3rd Place: Brandon Carden, Huntsville Utilities
2nd Place: Andrew Hamlet, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Caleb Dunsavage, Middle Tennessee Electric
Hurtman Rescue
3rd Place: Chris White, Jackson Energy Authority
2nd Place: Dylan Parker, Middle Tennessee Electric
1st Place: Nathan Robertson, Middle Tennessee Electric
Jack Jumper
3rd Place: Dylan Parker, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Zeb Ferguson, Huntsville Utilities
1st Place: Chris White, Jackson Energy Authority
Overall
5th Place: Collin Diggs, Jackson Energy Authority
4th Place: Gunnar Peas, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Dakota Hill, Huntsville Utilities
2nd Place: Chris White, Jackson Energy Authority
1st Place: Dylan Parker, Middle Tennessee Electric
Congratulations to each of our members and their talented lineworkers who showcased their dedication and skill within their essential field of work. To view and save photos from the competition, click here.