Safety on display at the 2025 Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo
Lineworkers showcased their talents to loved ones while also demonstrating the value of safety last month at the Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo. This year Middle Tennessee Electric was the host at the Williamson Family Farm on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31.
“The safety of our employees and our members is a top priority at MTE,” said Chris Jones, MTE’s CEO. “Our lineworkers put in a tremendous amount of hard work and practice behind the scenes to ensure that they are meeting the highest safety standards out in the field. The Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo is a great event that recognizes the knowledge and skill needed in this role, and we were honored to host this year’s event in Murfreesboro.”
The rodeo is a two-day competitive event that began in 1998. Employees of Tennessee Valley Authority power distributors, including Tennessee’s electric co-ops, compete in competitions such as hurtman rescue, storm restoration, pole top insulator change out, fused cut-out relocation and more. Apprentices, journeyman teams of three, individual linemen and senior individuals (age 45 and up) are recognized and rewarded for excellence in safety, skill and knowledge in their field.
Each year, participants, spectators and sponsors look forward to the Rodeo as it cultivates pride in the trade and a kinship among both participants and attendees. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is proud to be a gold level sponsor of the Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo.
Congratulations to all who participated, especially those within the co-op family.
Apprentice Event
Hurtman Rescue – 1st place: Clay Webb, Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership
2nd place: Nathan Robertson, MTE
Fused Cut-Out Relocation – 1st place: Preston Campbell, MTE
Overall – 4th place: Tyler McClendon, MTE
Team Event
Hurtman Rescue – 2nd place: Team 8, MTE
Storm Restoration – 3rd place: Team 4, STEMC
Relay Challenge – 1st place: Team 8, MTE
2nd place: Team 4, STEMC
Overall – 3rd place: Team 8, MTE
4th place: Team 4, STEMC
5th place: Team 13, MTE
Individual Journeyman Event
Hurtman Rescue – 1st place: Logan Barber, STEMC
Hurtman Rescue – 3rd place: Branson Hammrich, MTE
Arrester Change Out – 1st place: Logan Barber, STEMC
Single Phase Reclosurer Bypass – 1st place: Logan Barber, STEMC
Cross-Arm Cut-Out Relocation – 3rd place: Branson Hammrich, MTE
Overall – 2nd place: Branson Hammrich, MTE
3rd place: Manny Bibian, MTE
4th place: Elijah Stearns, STEMC
Senior Event
Hurtman Rescue – 2nd place: Michael Diggs, MTE
3rd place: Jimmy Young, STEMC
Fused Cut-Out Relocation – 1st place: Chris Gossett, MTE
2nd place: Michael Diggs, MTE
Tie Event – 2nd place: Chirs Gossett, MTE
3rd place: Michael Diggs, MTE
Overall – 2nd place: Michael Diggs, MTE
For a full list of this year’s winners, visit tnrodeo.com/events/archives/.
