Greenville Utilities linemen displayed agility, strength, and expertise during the NCAMES (North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems) 2025 Linemen Rodeo on May 15th, placing in several categories.
Lineworker First Class David Guy was a GUC team coach as well as a judge for the rodeo this year and said there are a lot of components that go into making this competition a success each year.
“It takes a lot of organizational skills from the management teams of different municipalities. Just like mutual aid planning, the towns come together, share equipment and resources, and make this competition happen,” said David.
This year, the competition was in Rocky Mount in a more compact area with the field partially saturated from days of heavy rain during the week, but despite that, the organizers were able to coordinate an event that highlighted the skills of linemen across the state and offered an opportunity for GUC linemen to grow their expertise.
“I don’t think we could have asked for a better group of linemen. They gave it all they had. The coaches also prepared them for it well,” said David.
James Forrest Jr, one of our team coaches and Underground Electric Crew Leader, was proud of the competition outcome.
GUC linemen spent 15 days practicing the different competition events that included journeyman/apprentice hurtman rescue, apprentice sidewalk guy, journeyman three-phase tie/untie, journeyman crossarm changeout, journeyman/apprentice obstacle course, and a written test.
“Practicing for this competition increased their confidence in climbing,” James said. “Their climbing improved. When they are needed to climb in a real situation [like during storm recovery in places where a bucket truck is unable to access], it is important that they are comfortable with doing it. The practice and the competition help us in the long run.”
David also highlighted the inherent value of the practice sessions and the competition as a learning experience for linemen.
“During the competition, they were able to learn how other municipalities do things and were given the opportunity to work with new materials. It was a good learning experience for our team,” David said.
Those who competed this year in the journeyman category were Lineworkers Second Class Jordan Lang and Cole Hartley, and Lineworker Third Class Carter Gaskins.
Those who competed in the apprentice category were Lineworkers Third Class Jordan Bradshaw, Tyler Bradshaw, Isaiah Edwards, Hunter Sparks, Holden Stotesbury, and Davis Wynne, along with Lineworker Second Class Gus Smith.
Jordan Lang placed 4th overall and 3rd in the crossarm changeout journeyman division. Carter placed 3rd in the journeyman hurtman rescue competition.
Gus placed 3rd in the apprentice written test and Hunter placed 1st in the apprentice sidewalk guy competition.
The coaches were Electric Overhead Crew Leader Jason Gaskins, James, and David.
The 2025 NCAMES judges from GUC were Overhead Construction/Maintenance Supervisor Jeffery Williams (head judge), Electric Overhead Crew Leader Mike Ashley, Troubleshooter Crew Leader Timmy Pollard, Underground Electric Crew Leader Joey Dash, and David.
