Climbing Atop the Podium at the Lineman’s Rodeo

SCE’s annual competition among journeymen and apprentices returns to determine world championship teams this fall.
Skip to content
Stories : Safety
Stories : Safety

Climbing Atop the Podium at the Lineman’s Rodeo

SCE’s annual competition among journeymen and apprentices returns to determine world championship teams this fall.
Contributors
Photo Credit: Kelly Beck and Mark Archuleta


After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lineworkers across Southern California were energized to return to the Southern California Edison Lineman’s Rodeo to greet old friends, meet new competitors and reach new milestones.

“It is a great feeling to finally achieve the top spot on the podium at the Edison rodeo,” said Kyle Vanderpool, an SCE journeyman whose team received a perfect overall score.

The 30th annual Lineman’s Rodeo and Picnic brought together 23 journeyman teams and 28 apprentices from SCE, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pasadena Water & Power, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, City of Anaheim, Henkels & McCoy and various lineworker contractors. Events included the Hurt Man Rescue, Pole Climb, 4 kV Fuseholder Changeout, Obstacle Course and a mystery event not revealed until competition day — Ground a Single Phase Line.

The rodeo is an opportunity for lineworkers to showcase their skills and earn the opportunity to move on to the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City later this year.

“There will be a lot of solid competition in Kansas City. We will continue practicing like we have been doing and pushing forward,” Vanderpool said. “Returning to Kansas City will be a lot of fun, and we look forward to competing against the best of the best.”

The Hurt Man Rescue event simulates the response to an injured lineworker changing out a faulty disconnect.
The Hurt Man Rescue event simulates the response to an injured lineworker changing out a faulty disconnect. Photo Credit: Mark Archuleta
SCE's 2019 World Champion Journeyman Team trophy winners returned to qualify and move on to Kansas City: (l-r) Jacob Lybbert, Ramon Garcia and Wil Robinson.
SCE's 2019 World Champion Journeyman Team trophy winners returned to qualify and move on to Kansas City: (l-r) Jacob Lybbert, Ramon Garcia and Wil Robinson. Photo Credit: Kelly Beck
Top-performing journeymen teams and apprentices are selected to compete at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City later this year.
Top-performing journeymen teams and apprentices are selected to compete at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City later this year. Photo Credit: Mark Archuleta
Journeyman teams compete against the clock in the 4kV Fuse Holder Changeout event where the objective is to replace a flashed-over fuse cutout.
Journeyman teams compete against the clock in the 4kV Fuse Holder Changeout event where the objective is to replace a flashed-over fuse cutout. Photo Credit: Kelly Beck

The objective of the Apprentice Obstacle Course objective is to replace a photocell on a street light and to relocate a cross-arm and three-spool rack to the opposite side of the pole.
The objective of the Apprentice Obstacle Course objective is to replace a photocell on a street light and to relocate a cross-arm and three-spool rack to the opposite side of the pole. Photo Credit: Kelly Beck

Winners from the 2022 SCE Lineman’s Rodeo competition included:

Journeyman teams (Overall)

  • 1st Place: Team #7 – Brandon Gloria, Kyle Vanderpool, David Angrove (San Joaquin Valley & Asplundh)
  • 2nd Place: Team #1 – Ryan Araujo, George Murillo, Enoc Verdin (Montebello, Monrovia & Sturgeon)
  • 3rd Place: Team #2 – Wil Robinson, Jacob Lybbert, Ramon Garcia (Redlands & Covina)

Apprentices (Overall)

  • 1st Place: Apprentice #226 - Carson Young (San Joaquin Valley)
  • 2nd Place: Apprentice #213 – Daniel Kelly (Long Beach)
  • 3rd Place: Apprentice #212 – Matt Katz (San Joaquin Valley)
See the complete list of winners here.