MTE emerges as most decorated utility at Lineman Rodeo

Middle Tennessee Electric came away as the most decorated utility from the Tennessee Valley Lineman’s Rodeo this weekend in Jackson, Tenn. Competing with utilities across the Tennessee Valley, MTE claimed seven of the 12 places in overall results across four categories of competition.

Leading the way was MTE’s Logan Barber, who won overall lineman competition. He was followed by his teammates Adam Montgomery and Billy Jack Alexander, who came in second and third, respectively.

In the senior division, Mike Diggs and Danny Crawford came in second and third overall. In the apprentice lineman category, Nolan Farris finished second overall, and in the team competition, MTE’s three-man team of Josh Fuller, Tommy Kirkland and Chase Patterson came in second overall.

“All our team members represented MTE extremely well,” said MTE CEO Chris Jones. “This competition features great linemen from electric companies across the Tennessee Valley, so this showing was really something. It’s just another reason for our members to be proud of the lineman who serve them so well.”

The rodeo, which includes competitive events for apprentices, journeyman teams of three, individual linemen and senior individuals (age 45 and up), recognizes and rewards excellence in safety, skills and knowledge. Each category of the all-outdoor competition had either three or four events for the competitors, and MTE was also the best represented utility across all events with strong finishers in each event:

INDIVIDUAL LINEMAN

Hurtman Rescue
Jonathan Fitzpatrick 1st Place
Logan Barber 2nd Place
Clint Newman 3rd Place

Double Dead End Bell Change-Out
Logan Barber 3rd Place

4KV Insulator Change-Out
Logan Barber 1st Place
Billy Jack Alexander 2nd Place
Adam Montgomery 3rd Place

Transformer Tap Change
Logan Barber 1st Place
Adam Montgomery 2nd Place
Matt Patrick 3rd Place

SENIOR LINEMAN

Hurtman Rescue
Danny Crawford 2nd Place

Transformer Tap Change
Bo Asbury 1st Place
Danny Crawford 3rd Place

CSP Transformer Arrestor Change
Mike Diggs 1st Place
Danny Crawford 3rd Place

APPRENTICE LINEMAN

Hurtman Rescue
Nolan Farris 3rd Place

Transformer Tap Change
Nolan Farris 2nd Place
Branson Hammrich 3rd Place

CSP Transformer Arrestor Change
Branson Hammrich 2nd Place

LED Security Light Change-Out
Branson Hammrich 1st Place

TEAM

Hurtman Rescue
MTE Team 1st Place

Double Dead End Bell Change-Out
MTE Team 3rd Place

Replace Cross Arm Storm Damage
MTE Team 3rd Place

4KV Cross Arm Change-Out
MTE Team 3rd Place

This annual event provides an opportunity for line workers to showcase their talents and for family and friends to show their support. Participants, spectators and sponsors continue to look forward to the rodeo as it cultivates pride in the trade and kinship among participants and attendees alike.