Energy news from Omaha Public Power District
Energy news from Omaha Public Power District
OPPD competitors came home from the annual Nebraska Lineworkers Rodeo well-decorated with honors from the event.
The rodeo promotes the work line technicians do in the field and is a chance for them to showcase best practices.
OPPD award winners this year include:
- Ted Gyhra and Takoda Batenhorst, who were first in the hurtman rescue, which involves rescuing a mannequin from the top of the pole in a simulated injury accident. They also took first in the insulator change out, second in the primary transfer and second overall in the Journeyman Division.
- Diego Zarazua Gonzalez, who finished third in the written apprentice test.
- Andrew Hansen, who finished third in the apprentice obstacle event.
The rodeo, held in Broken Bow at the Custer County Fairgrounds, also serves as a networking event. Line technicians have the opportunity to learn new techniques from and build relationships with lineworkers from utilities across the state.
OPPD sent four journeyman competitors to the rodeo: Takoda Batenhorst, Brent Foxhoven, Ted Gyhra and Andrew Walter. Five apprentices also competed: Gage Champion, Andrew Hansen, Elijah Medina, Fernando Ramirez-Soto and Diego Zarazua Gonzalez. And three OPPD employees served as judges: Dave Benak, Aaron Prohaska and Dave Tonjes.
