(WACO, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive program tested their skills to earn scholarships and tools at the first Gearhead Gauntlet held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Waco campus.
Students were grouped by first- and second-semesters and third- and fourth-semesters. The first round of competition involved taking a 100-question test which determined the 16 students who would move on to the hands-on stations.
Students put their knowledge to use identifying voltage across electrical components, balancing a tire and adding wheel weights, removing axle shafts, diagnosing transmission issues, and other tasks.
Jamie Brannen, assistant program team lead in TSTC’s Automotive and Auto Collision and Management programs, said a lot of what the students did was taught in their classes. Automotive instructors held Friday tutoring sessions this semester for students to further reinforce skills.
Mia Kennedy, of Waco, is in her third-semester of the Automotive program. She said she felt confident working on the HVAC portion of the contest, but needs more practice removing and installing a timing belt.
“Don’t overthink,” Kennedy said is what she took away from the competition.
The top six students received scholarship money and donated tools by way of The TSTC Foundation.
Placing in the top three among first- and second-semester students were Matthew Dippel, Stephen Gebhard and Nathaniel Fields. Placing in the top three among third- and fourth-semester students were Madison Daggett, Joseph Robinson and Dalton Wagenshein.
Gebhard, of Fort Worth, is in his first-semester of the Automotive program. He had automotive experience having taken classes in high school before enrolling at TSTC.
“Everything is going smoothly,” Gebhard said. “I love how I can work ahead.”
Brannen said students will take a survey to get ideas on how to improve next year’s contest.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.