James Grant of Middle Tennessee EMC, Murfreesboro, TN, works his way to the Journeyman Division title in the 2018 Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo, conducted June 29-30 at Murfreesboro. (Photo courtesy Middle Tennessee EMC)

Given that the 2018 Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo was held in Murfreesboro, TN, the first-place hardware didn’t go very far – and some of it didn’t even leave town.

In fact, Middle Tennessee EMC, Murfreesboro, TN, swept the Journeyman Division’s first four places, with last year’s runner-up, James Grant (shown above) taking the top prize. Brad Kincaid was second, followed by 2016 Journeyman champ Danny Crawford and Chris Gossett.

Johnathan Fitzpatrick, also of Middle Tennessee EMC, won the Apprentice Division, clipping 2016 Apprentice winner Zack Zehner of Jackson, TN, EA and Chris Patterson of Middle Tennessee EMC.

In the team competition, the Nashville, TN, ES team of Cody Roberts, Josh Fuller and Timmy Sanford added Adam Harris and made it two straight titles. Another NES team, comprised of Derek Pennington, Jay Shannon, Josh Jones and 2017 Journeyman champion Thomas Barksdale, came in second.

Senior Division champion Charlie Brown of Lenoir City, TN, UB was the sole non-Central District division winner. He outdistanced Bo Asbury of Middle Tennessee EMC and Chris Couch of Holston EC, Rogersville, TN.

The 2018 Rodeo drew a crowd in excess of 400 competitors, judges and vendors. Next year’s event is set for Lenoir City, TN, UB.