HomeMy WebLinkAboutLineman's RodeoAll in a day's work
BTU employees showcase their skills,
earn top awards at Lineman's Rodeo
By Arena Welch
Eagle Staff Writer
Pouring rain did not damp-
en the spirits of seven Bryan
Texas Utility linemen as they
climbed a 40-foot pole during
a recent competition.
It was all in a day's work
for them.
Utility linemen from Texas
and New Mexico participated
in the ninth annual Texas
Lineman's Rodeo on July 16
in Seguin. BTU's team left the
competition with five first-
place awards, two second-
place awards, adn two third-
place awards.
Events at the rodeo includ-
ed a secondary underground
splice, dead-end bell change,
downed primary, hurt man
rescue and pole climb. Events
were timed, and teams were
scored on each even, with
100 being perfect and points
deducted for mistakes and
going over the time limit.
Chick Herrin, BTU opera-
__________________________
"Not many jobs give you
the opportunity to do
your work skills at such
a competitive level."
CHRIS CALLAWAY
Nine-year rodeo veteran
________________________
tions supervisor and mentor
to BTU's competitors, said
only three teams received a
perfect score on each event -
two of those were from BTU
- making the awards come
down to how fast each team
completed the events.
The journeyman team,
composed of Chris Callaway,
Joe Lapaglia and Raymond
Tidwell, won first place in the munici-
pal division and first place in
the downed primary. The 45
and older team, composed of
Kevin Lee, Leroy Thomas and
_______________________
See RODEO, Page E2
Special to The Eagle
BTU employees took home numerous awards at
the ninth annual Texas Lineman's Rodeo on July 16
in Seguin. Pictured are (from left) Chris Callaway;
Joe Lapagila; Raymond Tidwell; Chuck Herrin, BTU
Operations Supervisor and team mentor; Derek
Pusser; Kevin Lee; Terry Toole; and Leroy Thomas.
Terry Toole, won third place
overall, first place in teh sen-
ior division and second place
in the municipal division. In
the apprentice competition,
Derek Pusser won Best Over-
all, second place in the
apprentice hurt man rescue
and third place in the appren-
tice written test.
Callaway, who has compet-
ed in the rodeo for nine years,
said he enjoys the competi-
tive aspect.
"Not many jobs give you the
opportunity to do your work
skills at such a competitive
level," he said. "We get to
really show off our abilities to
other linemen, other organi-
zations and other companies.
We get the benefit and glory
of saying, 'We are the best. We
are good at what we do.'"
Arena Welch's e-mail. address
is arena.welch@theeagle.com