SCE Linemen Showcase Their Skills at Annual Lineman’s Rodeo
Jacob Lybbert, 33, grew up watching his lineman dad drive the big trucks and enjoyed watching the guys throw rope from pole to pole as they strung wire and climbed up the big electric poles. He even remembers watching his dad judge the lineman’s rodeo competitions.
Now a lineman himself for Southern California Edison, Lybbert and his teammates, Wil Robinson and Ramon Garcia, recently took home the top prize at the company’s annual picnic and lineman’s rodeo.
And winning is something this trio is getting used to as they take part in competitions across the country and prepare for the International Lineman’s Rodeo this October in Kansas.
Video Credit: Joseph Foulk
“It’s fun for me and a chance to showcase our skills and ability,” he said. “When we compete, our goal is to complete the event clean, as fast as we can, and as safe as we can. It’s the experience and the brotherhood we enjoy.”
Dozens of lineman, groundman and apprentice teams from various utilities competed in events like the Hurtman Rescue, Pole Climb and 12Kv Over-the-Arm Tap Installation at SCE’s rodeo. The top finishers will now head to Kansas where competitors from all over the world will be represented.
This will be Lybbert’s sixth time heading to Kansas. He enjoys the camaraderie with his fellow lineman and the opportunities to share stories.
“The lineman from back East always talk about the hurricanes,” he said. “The guys from Canada talk about working in minus 10 degrees Celsius.”
The event is also a time to talk about how everyone works to stay safe and to share safety tips. The International Lineman’s Rodeo has a safety conference and trade show where new tools, equipment and safe work practices are discussed.
“For our lineman, it’s an opportunity to not only showcase their skills and compete against the best in the industry, but show pride in their craft,” said Robert Torres, an SCE manager in the Covina District.
SCE Lineman’s Rodeo Overall Winners
- Journeyman Teams
- 1st Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert & Wil Robinson
- 2nd Ryan Araujo, George Murillo & Raudel Ruiz
- 3rd Alex Plascencia, Steven Lekvold & Phil Sonoqui Jr
- Apprentices
- 1st Gerad Coburn
- 2nd Justin Roberts (PG&E)
- 3rd Eric Brusseau
- Groundman
- 1st Victor Coria
- 2nd Eduardo Jauregui (East LA Skills Center)
- 3rd Austin Miller (LA Trade Tech)
Winners of Specific Events
Journeyman Events
- Hurtman Rescue
- 1st Robert Barbarena, Jason Jones & Chris Podergois
- 2nd Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert & Wil Robinson
- 3rd Edgar Castillo, Tyler Lopiccolo & Brian Marques
- Pole Climb
- 1st Ryan Araujo, George Murillo & Raudel Ruiz
- 2nd Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert & Wil Robinson
- 3rd Kristopher Baliton, Henry Calero-Garay & Bryan Casas
- 12Kv Over-the-Arm Tap Installation
- 1st Brad Morgan, Ryan Reid & Robert Scott
- 2nd Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert & Wil Robinson
- 3rd Bryce Munday, Bruce Thompson & Josh Younkman (IBEW Local 47)
- Mystery Event – Dead end insulator change out
- 1st Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert & Wil Robinson
- 2nd Ryan Araujo, George Murillo & Raudel Ruiz
- 3rd Edgar Castillo, Tyler Lopiccolo & Brian Marques
Apprentice Events
- Written Test
- 1st Gerad Coburn
- 2nd Eric Brusseau
- 3rd Michael Clinkenbeard
- Obstacle Course
- 1st Jeremiah Maciujec
- 2nd Eric Brusseau
- 3rd Justin Roberts (PG&E)
- Hurtman Rescue
- 1st Eric Brusseau
- 2nd Matt Richardson (city of Riverside)
- 3rd Travis Witters (PG&E)
- Pole Climb
- 1st Donovan VanElsberg (PG&E)
- 2nd David Angove (IBEW 66)
- 3rd Travis Witters (PG&E)
- Mystery Event – Down Guy Replacement
- 1st Donovan VanElsberg (PG&E)
- 2nd Jeremiah Maciujec
- 3rd Eric Brusseau
Groundman Events
- Written Test
- 1st Nick Barrell
- 2nd Mike Gossett
- 3rd Zachary Cartwright
- Eye Splice
- 1st Victor M Coria
- 2nd Eduardo Jauregui (East LA Skills Center)
- 3rd Austin Miller (LA Trade Tech)
- Mystery Event – Circle of safety
- 1st Cody Gibson
- 2nd Daniel Alcala
- 3rd Daniel Silva