Walton EMC’s ‘electric cowboys’ turn it on at International Lineman’s Rodeo

There wasn’t a beefy bull or bucking bronco in sight at this rodeo just west of Kansas City, Mo. Instead, the 41st Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo, the Super Bowl of the electric-utility profession, is where “electric cowboys” tested their chops in timed events.

Walton EMC linemen were among the 750 hard-hatted competitors who pitted their expertise against the industry’s best and returned home winners. The team of Mason Tolbert, Hollis Lucas, Phillip Mork, Harry Ruiz and Nate Howell dominated the apprentice division for electric cooperatives, garnering three of the top five awards presented. In all, Walton EMC linemen collected six of the contest’s top awards.

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL HONORS WENT TO:

• Ruiz, who led the team with three, top-five awards. He was named fourth-place finisher overall among apprentice linemen and second place in the electric cooperative division. Points earned for his fourth-place score in the written test event elevated him to the highest finish among the Walton EMC team.
• Howell, who recorded the team’s best individual performance with second place overall in a timed event involving a “mystery” task revealed just before he competed.
• Tolbert and Lucas, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in the co-op division.

Gathered at the International Lineman’s Rodeo awards banquet are, from left to right: Tim Morris, vice president of engineering and operations, Ryan West, Jacob McNary, Phillip Mork, John Spence, Hollis Lucas, Nate Howell, Blaine Ogle, Adam Simmons, Brad Adcock, Harry Ruiz, Josh Mercado, Mason Tolbert, Preston Roberts, and Ron Marshall, CEO.

“These results showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of our apprentices, our journeyman and their coaches,” said Tim Morris, Walton EMC’s vice president of engineering and operations. “Earning three out of the top five positions in the Co-op Division against national competition is a testament to the quality of their motivation to learn, Walton’s training program and the commitment of our entire team.”

The team was coached by journeyman linemen and rodeo veterans Adam Simmons, Blaine Ogle and Ryan West. The Walton team spent many after-work hours studying and practicing for the competition’s four skill events and a written test. To get a perfect score, a lineman must deploy all safety procedures and best practices without a misstep, such as dropping a tool while working on a pole.

“Coaching this team has been one of the highlights of my career,” said Adam Simmons. “To see them execute under pressure and earn six top-five finishes is proof of their work ethic and determination throughout the preparation process.”

Walton EMC was also represented by journeyman linemen John Spence, Jacob McNary and Josh Mercado who served as event judges. The co-op’s Brad Adcock, Preston Roberts and Savannah Chandler, along with lineman families, also made the trip to support the five competitors.

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