Grant PUD places high at Andrew York Rodeo
Grant County PUD journeyman Rodney Fronsman climbs a 40-foot pole in Ephrata last week as part of training for the Eigth Annual Andrew York Lineman Rodeo. Grant PUD linemen did well in the event, which took place Saturday in Wenatchee.
WENATCHEE - Grant County PUD linemen did well at the Andrew York Lineman Rodeo Saturday at Wenatchee's Walla Walla Point Park.
The journeyman team of Ryan Bingham, Kurt Myers and Wayne Black placed second, with 700 points overall and a time of 35:07 in the four events, according to event organizers.
Journeymen linemen from Phoenix-based Arizona Public Service won top overall honors, scoring 700 points and an overall time of 28 minutes and 27 seconds.
The Portland General Electric team finished third with 698 points and a time of 29:03.
In the apprentice category, Grant PUD apprentice Ryan Davis earned fifth place, while Chris Cournyer from Tacoma Power was the top finisher, with 494 points and an overall time of 13:18.
There were 28 teams and 22 apprentices competing at the rodeo held to honor the memory of Chelan PUD journeyman lineman Andrew York, who died in 2000 after being struck while on the job by a drunken driver. Organizers said this year brought a record number of teams to the event, topping the previous high of 17.
Journeyman teams and apprentice linemen tested their skills and knowledge in events such as pole-top rescue, speed climb, insulator change-out and jumper (connector) installation.
Complete results are posted on the rodeo's website - www.ayrodeo.com.
"Every year this event keeps growing and so does support for it from the community and the trade," stated Daryn Klinginsmith of Wenatchee, a former lineman and one of the founding members of the Andrew York Lineman Rodeo. "Many of the competitors say they chose this event to attend because it supports scholarships."
Proceeds from the rodeo support the Andrew York Memorial Scholarship, which awards grants to Washington state high school seniors active in preventing teen drug and alcohol abuse.
Total proceeds from this year's rodeo are still being tallied, but Sarah DeLozier with Chelan County PUD said Monday she's "optimistic" the event will contribute an estimated $20,000 to the scholarship fund.