(WACO, Texas) – For this rodeo, the competitiveness was as intense as the Texas summer heat.
Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker and Management program hosted its annual Lineworker Rodeo on Thursday, July 23, at the Waco campus. Students in the first, second and third semester of the program competed on 17 teams in the Speed Climb, Cutout Changeout, Single Arm Changeout and Pin Swap Relay contests, with four teams competing in the Relay in the Rain courtesy of the Lacy Lakeview Fire Department. Students also took a written test.
“I’m seeing who my competition is when I go for a job,” said Nicholas Fischer, a third-semester student from Fort Worth.
Asher Borcato, a second-semester student from Shreveport, Louisiana, said adrenaline was fueling his competitive nature.
“I’m scared of heights and I wanted to face my fears,” he said.
Borcato said safety is critical in the electrical field.
“You only have one chance,” he said. “You don’t take shortcuts. There is no room for mistakes.”
Joseph Richardson, a second-semester student from Corsicana, said his goal was to look good for his parents, who were in attendance. He physically prepared for the contest by maintaining his sleep, eating well and hydrating.
Several industry representatives were on hand to watch and mingle.
Mason Burke, a tools sales and demonstrator for Techline Tools in Waco, wanted to show his support for the program he was once an instructor in. He said the event was a way for students to show off their learning to industry professionals, who could look for potential employees.
“It’s fun watching the future of the trade,” Burke said.
Craig Brooks, director of field operations at Austin Energy, said the skills students are learning can be taken anywhere in the world. He said with today’s technology, it was good to see students pursue a field calling for them to work in the elements.
The overall winners were the team of Eddie Betancourt, Ulises Martinez, Adrian Pina, Diego Vasquez and Logan Weir. The Relay in the Rain winners were Jackson Brinsley, Chandler Patton, Stetson Staggs, Tyler Thomas and Mason Woith. Each student on the winning teams received $250 provided by The TSTC Foundation.
Woith, a first-semester student from Corsicana, said the cascading water was cold.
“It was fun,” he said. “It felt like I was in a tsunami. I’m definitely drenched.”
Registration for the fall semester continues at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.