Snapping Shoals EMC’s Lineman’s Rodeo Team attended the International Lineman's Rodeo Association in Kansas last weekend and proudly brought home some top awards out of more than 240 teams and nearly 400 apprentices that competed. The rodeo events mirror the challenges linemen face daily, including climbing poles, changing insulators, reconfiguring fiberglass arms and completing a simulated rescue of an injured co-worker, all while racing against the clock.

Team members Dylan Davis, Caleb Nix and J.C. Bradshaw placed second out of all EMC teams while the team of Josh Monsrud, Dakota Conner and Hunter Norman placed second in a Mystery Event. Don Ritchey competed in the Senior Division with Mike Benton of Georgia EMC and Tommy Cook of Carroll EMC. The team placed fifth in the division. Chris Harper, Bowen Braswell and Alex Hudson also competed as a team.

Apprentice Colby Champman placed second in the Apprentice Mystery Event #2 and fifth in the Apprentice Hurtman Rescue. Tim Henderson also competed as an apprentice. Phil Phillips, David Hawkins, Robert Whitener and Keith Higgins served as judges while Melvin Brake and Randy Nixon served as coaches. Bobby Fincher coordinated SSEMC’s participation in the rodeo.

The International Lineman’s Rodeo gives linemen an opportunity to showcase the skills that are necessary and essential to restore power in the electric utility business. “It’s good to see this many of our linemen compete in the rodeo. The competition reminds them how to work safely under pressure, and to think on the fly,” said Don Ritchey, SSEMC’s Vice President of Operations.

Pictured: (front row from left) Bobby Fincher, Robert Whitener, Phil Phillips, Melvin Brake, Randy Nixon, Dylan Davis, Bowen Braswell, Alex Hudson, Chris Harper and Don Ritchey, (back row from left) Hunter Norman, Josh Monsrud, Dakota Conner, Colby Chapman, J.C. Bradshaw and Caleb Nix. Not pictured are David Hawkins, Tim Henderson and Keith Higgins.