By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Displaying their daring and skill, 29 of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative's best apprentices and journeymen competed at the 8th Annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman's Rodeo April 9 and 10 at the Meadow Event Park. Linemen from six states participated, with REC co-hosting. A forest of 40-foot telephone poles was erected in front of the Farm Bureau Pavilion for the event.
REC area serviceman Chuck Tippett placed second in Fastest Climbing Skills Demonstration without Fall Restraint competition. REC apprentice lineman Brandon Weaver placed third in the Mystery Event #2 - New Service Connection. And apprentice Thomas Bailey placed third in Highest Written Test Score. In Overall Results, REC's Kevin Houston, Travis Heffler and Daniel Dewey made a perfect score of 500; and Bradley Sylvia, Thomas Bailey and Chris Farmer were 4th overall in ALTEC.
In Rodeo, Thomas Bailey was 9th out of 51 apprentices, and Brandon Weaver was 10th. "REC's linemen represented the Cooperative with great pride and success," said Maxie Rozell, REC's director of safety and security and rodeo co-chairman. "The work of a lineman is always challenging and the skills required to do the job safely are something that every lineman must master. The rodeo tests their skills, ability and knowledge of the work they do day in and out."
REC was represented by Art Baum, Bradley Sylvia, Brandon Weaver, Bryan Coffey, Bobby Rutherford, Chris Farmer, Chris Hancock, Chris McGowan, Chuck Tippett, Daniel Dewey, Todd Tignor, David Chenault, Dick Jones, Donnie Brooks, Jason Morris, Josh Bonner, Kevin Houston, Kevin Pories, Mike Luck, Patrick Ambrose, Reagan Cruey, Ryan Garner, Shawn Dixon, Thomas Bailey, TJ Gillooly, Travis Heffler, Tony Brill, Trey Mitchell and Wesley Gallahan. See www.gaff-n-go.com.