Last week, Missouri Electric Cooperatives hosted their annual Lineman's Rodeo, bringing together nearly 70 lineworkers from 11 cooperatives to put their skills to the test. During the two-day competition, apprentices, journeymen, and teams demonstrated their expertise in events including written knowledge exam, hurt-man rescue, modified pole climbs, long-stick work, and equipment skills courses. The rodeo emphasizes safety and precision, with competitors judged on proper procedures and accuracy.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe attended the event, visiting with competitors and recognizing the important role electric cooperatives play in the communities they serve.

“You can be the fastest guy out here, but if you don’t do the job safely and correctly, it doesn’t matter,” said Craig Moeller, Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ director of field services, who oversees the rodeo. “We want them focused on good work practices first. Speed is only a tiebreaker.”

Your OEC linemen made you proud, bringing home several awards across multiple divisions. We've got some of the top lineman across the state!

TEAM DIVISION*

2nd Place: OEC Team 1 (Cole Biellier, Clint Deatherage, Phillip Elbert)

4th Place: OEC Team 2 (Seth Fortner, Jake Ray, Isaac Spain)

*The top four teams had a PERFECT score! Time was used as a tiebreaker. 

INDIVIDUAL JOURNEYMAN DIVISION

1st Place: Clint Deatherage

2nd Place: Ty Johns

INDIVIDUAL APPRENTICE DIVISION

3rd Place: Cole Biellier



OEC was represented by Cole Biellier, Clint Deatherage, Brock Dodd, Phillip Elbert, Seth Fortner, Ty Johns, Jake Ray, and Isaac Spain.

Beyond the competition, the rodeo provides opportunities for lineworkers to learn from one another and build relationships with crews from other cooperatives. Those connections become especially valuable when lineworkers join forces to restore power following major storms.

The event also raises funds for Missouri on a Mission, Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ international program. Established in 2016, the program has sent volunteer lineworkers to bring electricity to underserved communities in Bolivia and Guatemala and to help restore power in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

“A lot of the skills you see practiced here are the same ones our guys rely on when we take them overseas,” Moeller said. “They may not have the same trucks or equipment they have at home, so being confident in the fundamentals and knowing how to work safely becomes even more important.”

###