It may have been a blustery three-day weekend, but the more than 200 journeyman teams from all over the world were focused on one thing: competition.

In a tradition spanning 31 years, utilities from around the world sent their best linemen and apprentices to test their skills and safety knowledge in traditional lineman tasks and skills at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas.

“All our Journeyman teams and apprentices competed safely and represented Southern California Edison well,” said Robert E. Torres, SCE district manager, Victorville Service Center.

Other categories included pole climbing, CPR for apprentices and mystery events. 

The first lineman’s rodeo took place in 1984 and had 12 teams from Kansas and Missouri. Today, more than 200 teams and 250 apprentices take part in the annual event.

SCE teams also placed fifth in the Journeyman Mystery Event #1 (Hot Stick Event) and the Journeyman Overall - Investor-Owned Utilities. The Hot Stick Event winners included: Chris Podergois, Robert Barberena and Jason Jones. The Journeyman Overall - IOU team included: Alex Ramirez, Jeff Hinojos and Juan Romano.

For the full list of winners at the 2014 International Lineman’s Rodeo: https://www.linemansrodeokc.com/?page_id=34.