TVPPA Members Compete in 2025 Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo

Lineworkers from across the Tennessee Valley came together to showcase their skills and compete in the 28th Annual Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo May 30-31 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Hosted by Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), the competition was held at the Williamson Family Farm.

The rodeo kicked off on the afternoon of May 30 with a flag-raising ceremony by MTE lineworkers. Seniors and Individual Journeymen competed on May 30, and Team and Apprentice events took place on May 31. On the evening of May 31, competitors were recognized and rewarded for excellence in safety, skill, and knowledge in their field at an awards banquet held at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro. The results from each category are as follows:

Apprentice Events

Written Test
1st Place: Daniel Watson, Sevier County Electric System
2nd Place: Devin Smith, Sevier County Electric System
3rd Place: Michael Farragut, Sevier County Electric System

Hurtman Rescue
1st Place: Clay Webb, Southwest Tennessee EMC
2nd Place: Nathan Robertson, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Dylan Vinson, CDE Lightband

Fused Cut-Out Relocation
1st Place: Preston Campbell, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Dylan Vinson, CDE Lightband
3rd Place: Chris White, Jackson Energy Authority

Crossarm Cut-Out Relocation
1st Place: Trey Hatch, Jackson Energy Authority
2nd Place: Briceton Turner, Memphis Light, Gas and Water
3rd Place: Alex Kee, Benton County Electric

Pole Top Insulator Change Out
1st Place: Dylan Vinson, CDE Lightband
2nd Place: Jacob Stewart, CDE Lightband
3rd Place: Trey Hatch, Jackson Energy Authority

Overall Apprentice
1st Place: Jacob Stewart, CDE Lightband
2nd Place: Dylan Vinson, CDE Lightband
3rd Place: Chris White, Jackson Energy Authority
4th Place: Tyler McClendon, Middle Tennessee Electric
5th Place: Zeb Ferguson, Huntsville Utilities

Team Events

Hurtman Rescue
1st Place: Huntsville Utilities, Team 14
2nd Place: Middle Tennessee Electric, Team 8
3rd Place: Huntsville Utilities, Team 16

Storm Restoration
1st Place: Huntsville Utilities, Team 14
2nd Place: Nashville Electric System, Team 25
3rd Place: Southwest Tennessee EMC, Team 4

Mystery
1st Place: Nashville Electric System, Team 25
2nd Place: Huntsville Utilities, Team 14
3rd Place: Nashville Electric System, Team 24

Relay Challenge
1st Place: Middle Tennessee Electric, Team 8
2nd Place: Southwest Tennessee EMC, Team 4
3rd Place: Nashville Electric System, Team 25

Overall Teams
1st Place: Nashville Electric System, Team 25
2nd Place: Nashville Electric System, Team 24
3rd Place: Middle Tennessee Electric, Team 8
4th Place: Southwest Tennessee EMC, Team 4
5th Place: Middle Tennessee Electric, Team 13 

Individual Journeyman Events

Hurtman Rescue
1st Place: Logan Barber, Southwest Tennessee EMC
2nd Place: Wesley Brown, Benton County Electric
3rd Place: Branson Hammrich, Middle Tennessee Electric

Arrester Change Out
1st Place: Logan Barber, Southwest Tennessee EMC
2nd Place: Ryan Calderon, Jackson Energy Authority
3rd Place: Wesley Brown, Benton County Electric System

Single Phase Reclosurer Bypass
1st Place: Logan Barber, Southwest Tennessee EMC
2nd Place: Bryan Long, EPB of Chattanooga
3rd Place: Wesley Brown, Benton County Electric System

Cross-Arm Cut-Out Relocation
1st Place: Ryan Calderon, Jackson Energy Authority
2nd Place: Wesley Brown, Benton County Electric
3rd Place: Branson Hammrich, Middle Tennessee Electric

Overall Journeyman
1st Place: Wesley Brown, Benton County Electric System
2nd Place: Branson Hammrich, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Manny Bibian, Middle Tennessee Electric
4th Place: Elijah Stearns, Southwest Tennessee EMC
5th Place: Bryan Long, EPB of Chattanooga

Senior Events

Hurtman Rescue
1st Place: Scott Deese, CDE Lightband
2nd Place: Michael Diggs, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Jimmy Young, Southwest Tennessee EMC

Fused Cut-Out Relocation 
1st Place: Chris Gossett, Middle Tennessee Electric
2nd Place: Michael Diggs, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Tommy Barksdale, Nashville Electric System

Tie Event
1st Place: Tommy Barksdale, Nashville Electric System
2nd Place: Chris Gossett, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Michael Diggs, Middle Tennessee Electric

Overall Senior
1st Place: Tommy Barksdale, Nashville Electric System
2nd Place: Michael Diggs, Middle Tennessee Electric
3rd Place: Durood Burks, Nashville Electric System
4th Place: Scott Deese, CDE Lightband
5th Place: Darin Parker, Paris BPU

Congratulations to each of our members and their talented lineworkers who showcased their dedication and skill within their essential field of work.