Oct 20, 20211 min read

Duke Energy Shocks Nation to Claim Title

Jay Tipton, Keith Griffin and Sandy Barnhill had a whole two years to think about their 32nd Place finish in the last International Lineman Rodeo. They clearly came ready to compete at the 2021 International Lineman Rodeo held October 13-16th in Overland Park, Kansas. The team finished with a total time of 35:46:22 and only two total deductions from their score.

Tipton, the lineman from Marshall North Carolina, led the Duke Journeyman team with a strong veteran performance.

In the 2019 event, Duke Energy sent more than ten teams to compete however this year the champions from North Carolina were the only representative for the Journeyman Best of the Best Competition.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative (the team of Donhauser, Hernandez, and Dean) and SNB rounded out the top three.

The 2019 defending champions from Southern California Edison did not make the top 10 this year with a final score of 394 and a 14th place finish.

Other strong finishes in the 2020 rodeo included IBEW 35 (11th place), Farmers Electric Cooperative (19th place) and the home team Evergy, (21st).