For the second consecutive year, Mitchell Technical Institute will host a college and professional power line rodeo on Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16. The college rodeo begins Friday morning at 9:00 and the Saturday events begin at 10:00 AM at the MTI Energy Training Center at 1800 E. Spruce Street.
This year more than 90 student linemen will compete coming from several power line schools around the nation. Schools represented will include Chandler Gilbert Community College, Mesa, AZ; Blackhawk Technical College, Beaver Dam, WI; Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE; Western Nebraska Community College, Alliance, NE; Linn State College, Linn, MO; Morraine Park Technical College, West Bend, WI; and MTI.
New to this year’s event will be guest judges from Morgan County REA in Colorado. The group will also compete in the professional rodeo on Saturday.
Contestants in the college rodeo will have to complete four events: C1 Framing; Cross Arm Changeout; Obstacle Climb; and Knowledge Exam. Professional contestants will compete in C1 Framing; Fuse Changeout; Obstacle Climb; and a Mystery Event. The professional contestants will also demonstrate a hurt-man rescue.
There will also be displays and demonstrations including a hot line trailer demonstration, the MTI Energy Trailer, excavator bowling and bucket truck rides.
