Lineworkers from across the state put their skills to the test during the annual Lineman’s Safety Rodeo, coordinated by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives on Thursday, Sept. 25.
The event, held at the Lincoln Land Community College Line School yard in Springfield, brought together 18 teams from 13 electric cooperatives and two municipal utilities, along with 10 individual competitors, for a day of friendly competition and safety-focused challenges.
Participants competed in five timed events highlighting the agility, precision and safety practices essential to the line trade:
- Armor rod install – Competitors apply a preformed armor rod to a conductor, a task that protects power lines from damage and wear.
- Cutout change – Lineworkers replace a fuse cutout on a utility pole, a critical skill for maintaining and restoring service.
- Hurt man rescue – Simulates rescuing an injured lineworker from atop a pole, testing teamwork, speed and lifesaving response.
- 40-foot transition climb – Challenges participants to climb a 40-foot pole safely and efficiently.
- Transition climbing challenge – Lineworkers compete head-to-head until one is declared the overall winner.
While speed and accuracy are key factors, safety remains the top priority. Scores are determined by completion time, task execution and adherence to proper procedures, with deductions for errors such as slipping while climbing, dropping tools or performing unsafe maneuvers.
Results were announced at the end of the day. Adams Electric Cooperative, represented by Austin Aschemann, Brennan Caspermeyer and Logan Schutte, earned best overall team. Keaton McCart of City Water, Light & Power won best individual. Drayton Davis of Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative won the 40-foot transition climbing challenge.
Full Lineman’s Safety Rodeo results.
Armor rod install
Team
- First — Adams Electric Cooperative (Austin Aschemann, Brennan Caspermeyer and Logan Schutte)
- Second — Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative (Gavin Bennett, Grant Cooper and Shane Ruppert)
- Third — Rochelle Municipal Utilities (Casey Howard, C.J. Miskell and Jimmy Turcato)
Individual
- First — C.J. Miskell, Rochelle Municipal Utilities
- Second — Keaton McCart, City Water, Light & Power
- Third — Chris Cox, Rochelle Municipal Utilities
Cutout change
Team
- First — Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative (Gavin Bennett, Grant Cooper and Shane Ruppert)
- Second — Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (Andy Ahner, Matt McElroy and Mike Smith)
- Third — Adams Electric Cooperative (Austin Aschemann, Brennan Caspermeyer and Logan Schutte)
Hurt man rescue
Team
- First — City Water, Light & Power (Scott Boehm, Nolan Ernst and Adam Stade)
- Second — Southwestern Electric Cooperative (Dawson Chesnut, Alex Gooden and Tucker Johnson)
- Third — Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative (Drayton Davis, Juan Giron and Hayden Jacobs)
Individual
- First — Mike Smith, Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association
- Second — Tyler Atchison, Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association
- Third — Keaton McCart, City Water, Light & Power
40-foot transition climb
Team
- First — Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative (Gavin Bennett, Grant Cooper and Shane Ruppert)
- Second — City Water, Light & Power (Scott Boehm, Nolan Ernst and Adam Stade)
- Third — Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (Andy Ahner, Matt McElroy and Mike Smith)
Individual
- First — Drayton Davis, Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative
- Second — Grant Cooper, Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative
- Third — Keaton McCart, City, Water, Light & Power
Overall
Team
- Winner — Adams Electric Cooperative (Austin Aschemann, Brennan Caspermeyer and Logan Schutte)
Individual
- Winner — Keaton McCart, City Water, Light & Power
40-foot transition climbing challenge
Individual
- Winner — Drayton Davis, Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative
