SCE Linemen Prepare for Rodeo Journey
SCE Linemen Prepare for Rodeo Journey
First in a three-part series. Follow as the teams continue their journey all the way to Kansas.
A week before Southern California Edison’s Lineman’s Rodeo back in June, three teams — two from the Tulare area and one from Covina — got together to practice the events they would be competing in.
Two SCE lineman teams from Tulare and one from Covina spend the year practicing rodeo events as they begin their journey to the International Lineman's Rodeo in Kansas.
The teams spend months practicing and perfecting their technique, even competing in other utilities' rodeos in and around California.
“The best way I can describe it is linemen showcasing their skills, just in a competition setting,” said Tulare lineman Matt Newton.
For SCE teams, their home rodeo is most important because it is a qualifier event for the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas — a competition made up of the best of the best linemen from around the world.
To advance, they need to be one of the top scorers in several events, including Hurt Man Rescue, Pole Climb and two mystery events.
The SCE rodeo is just step one in a long road to Kansas. Watch as these teams prepare to take on some tough competition.
Meet the teams:
Tulare: Vinnie Sanchez, Matt Katz and Justin Maple
Tulare: Brandon Gloria and Matt Newton, joined by David Angove from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
Covina: Fabian Gutierrez, Jose Leon and Fernando Valenzuela
“It’s kind of cool, we got the other Tulare team at Pacific Gas and Electric’s rodeo, but they beat us at LADWP’s rodeo,” said Vinnie Sanchez, an e-crew foreman in Tulare. “So now it’s like, who is going to get the other at Edison’s?”
Brandon Gloria (left) and Vinnie Sanchez practice Hurt Man Rescue, an event they compete in at rodeos.
With their regular third teammate unavailable, Jose Leon (middle) and Fernando Valenzuela (right) enlisted another lineman from their service center to help them practice for the rodeo.
The two teams from Tulare got together to practice before competing in the SCE Lineman's Rodeo in Chino.
For more information, visit sce.com/careers.