GreyStone Power’s linemen are everyday heroes and rodeo winners once again. This year’s 28th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo was held in Bonner Springs, Kansas on Oct. 15. Apprentice lineman had a strong showing at the event, and past rodeo champions took home awards again.
The journeyman team of Josh Jones, Tim Costner and Patrick LeCroy brought home fifth place overall in the REA, EMC and Co-op division. Apprentice Shane Crider captured second place overall in competition with all apprentice teams in the Replace Blown Fuse Event and fifth place overall in the Pole Climb event. GreyStone apprentices showed their prowess at the Replace Blown Fuse Event, taking three of the five top scores among apprentices in all divisions. Sam Albright won first, followed by Crider at second and Matt Ingram at fourth place.
Participants in the rodeo were Matt Orr, Matt Ingram, Josh Jones, Clint Capes, Josh Kirby, Shane Copeland, Thomas Ogletree, Keith Bailey, Shane Crider, Bryn Speck, Tim Costner, Sam Albright, Marcus Aldridge, Derek Carruth, Taylor Shadrix, Patrick LeCroy, Eric Brown, Jarred Stevens, Matt Gilbert, Aaron Parrott, Jack Rider, Steve Findley, Kenny Wylie, Steve Jenkins, Scott Buchanan and Tony Brown.
“I’m very proud of our men’s efforts,” said Steve Findley, construction department manager. “I’m proud of the professional and positive way they represented GreyStone. This is a volunteer activity and we had the largest participation ever. The men worked hard and supported each other. I appreciated the participation and support of family members as well,” he said. “I’m also thankful for the GreyStone men who served as judges. That is a tough job.”
The competition attracts the best linemen from around the world including Canada, Great Britain, Jamaica, Russia, Guatemala and America to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks and skills. The first Lineman’s Rodeo was held in September 1984, with twelve participating teams from Kansas and Missouri. The rodeo has grown to over 210 teams and 250 apprentices.
Touchstone Energy sponsored one of GreyStone’s three journeyman teams and provided reserved seating for all GreyStone participants at the awards banquet.
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