Twelve lineworkers from Duke Energy Indiana achieved high honors at the Midwest Lineman’s Rodeo in Plainfield, Indiana, over the weekend, earning them spots to compete at the prestigious International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, on October 18. The event tests lineworkers' technical skills in equipment repair, pole climbing, and rescue operations, emphasizing safety, teamwork, and camaraderie.
The winners are:
In the Apprentice Overall category:
- First place: Calvin Fettig from Noblesville, Indiana
- Second place: Gabriel Miclette from Wabash, Indiana
- Third place: Jesse Orr from Bloomington, Indiana
In the Journeyman Team Overall category:
- First place: TJ Lewis from Aurora, Indiana; Bret Lewis and Micah Higgins-Baer, both from Madison, Indiana
- Second place: Jason Washburn, Collin Boschert, and Matt Wallpe, all from Noblesville, Indiana
- Third place: Marc Mitchell from Noblesville, Indiana; Travis Vidal from Columbus, Indiana; and Chase Nickell from Carmel, Indiana
These lineworkers overcame harsh conditions last year, including hurricanes that affected Duke Energy's operational areas. Duke Energy's regional senior vice president of power grid operations, Chris Lange, praised their commitment: “We put complete trust in our lineworkers each day to perform challenging, highly skilled work to provide the energy we all rely on, keeping safety for customers and each other as our top priority. It’s a thrill to see them compete in the rodeo and shine the spotlight on their strong dedication to our customers and communities."
Duke Energy manages three regional lineman’s rodeos annually, to select participants for the international contest, with competitions held in the Midwest, Carolinas, and Florida.
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary that caters to 920,000 customers, is Indiana’s dominant electricity provider. The company is part of Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It stands as one of the leading energy holding firms in the United States, with services sprawling across the Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Duke Energy is focusing on a substantial energy transition, enhancing the grid while considering customer reliability and investing in renewable resources and energy storage.
For further information, Duke Energy can be contacted via their website or social media platforms.