SCE Journeymen Win Overall 1st Place Trophy at Intl. Lineman’s Rodeo

They had a goal and they got it done.

The trio of Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert and Wil Robinson had one thing on their mind at this year’s International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas: win the overall first place journeymen team prize. And on Saturday, the Southern California Edison team took home the coveted “World Champion - Journeyman Team” trophy.

“It feels great and is a dream come true,” said Garcia, who thanked management for their support. “We have accomplished many wins, but nothing like this one. Our hard work has paid off. It was a great day for SCE and congratulations to the rest of the teams.”

During the grueling competition that included showcasing linemen skills in events like the Hurtman Rescue, Pole Climb and Mystery Event, Garcia, Lybbert and Robinson achieved perfect scores in each event and had the lowest combined time. The team also placed first overall in the Investor Owned Division and placed second in the Mystery Event - Replace Vibration Damper.

It was the largest showing for SCE’s linemen and apprentices, entering a record number of competitors. And competition was tough with utilities from Canada, England and throughout the United States entering 204 teams and 284 apprentices.

Other SCE teams that took home trophies included Eric Brusseau who placed second in the Apprentice Mystery Event #2, Replace Pin/Insulator. The team of Willie Rios, Juan Pulido and Jack Flavin placed second in the Senior Journeyman Team Overall category. In the Journeyman Hurtman Rescue, Henry Calero-Garay, Bryan Casas and Kristopher Baliton placed fourth.

In total, SCE had three teams in the top 20 and one apprentice in the top 25.

“We believe that our linemen and apprentices are some of the best in the world,” said Gary Shockley, SCE principal manager, North Coast Region. “This year, all our competitors did an outstanding job representing SCE and IBEW Local 47 — and all events were completed safely.”

Here is a full list of SCE competitors who placed at the International Lineman’s Rodeo:

Journeyman Team Overall
1st Place
Wil Robinson
Jacob Lybbert
Ramon Garcia

Journeyman Team Overall, IOU Division
1st Place
Wil Robinson
Jacob Lybbert
Ramon Garcia

Senior Journeyman Team Overall
2nd Place
Willie Rios
Juan Pulido
Jack Flavin

Apprentice Mystery Event #2, Replace Pin/Insulator
2nd Place
Eric Brusseau

Journeyman Hurtman Rescue
4th place
Henry Calero-Garay
Bryan Casas
Kristopher Baliton

Journeyman Mystery Event #2, Replace Vibration Damper
2nd place
Wil Robinson
Jacob Lybbert
Ramon Garcia

See the full list of winners from the International Lineman’s Rodeo.