Photo by: Chris Hayes
WINCHESTER, Ky. — With the cheers of family, friends and co-workers filling the grounds of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, more than 100 electric cooperative lineworkers from across the commonwealth competed in the 2025 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo, coordinated by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives.
The two-day event featured challenges that mirror the work lineworkers perform every day—storm restoration, maintenance and safety procedures—where precision and safety are rewarded more than sheer speed.
“This event is all about doing the job the right way,” says Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Safety and Training Vice President Randy Meredith. “Our linemen take great pride in their work, and this is an opportunity to showcase that professionalism.
The event also provides a rare opportunity for co-op crews from across Kentucky to work side by side outside of storm response or emergency situations. By sharing techniques and building camaraderie in a safe, friendly competition, lineworkers strengthen the skills and relationships that benefit their local co-ops and the members they serve.
Top honors in the overall categories went to Josh Hess of Nolin RECC (Senior), Cooper Wafzig of Shelby Energy (Individual Journeyman), Logan Davis of Jackson Purchase Energy (Apprentice) and Clark Team 2 (David Dennis, Timothy Patton, Richard Steele) in the Team division.
Other first-place finishes included:
Senior Events: Mike Ramsey, South KY RECC (Mystery 1, Mystery 2); Tony Bach, Owen Electric (Hurtman Rescue)
Individual Journeymen: Richard Steele, Clark Energy (Mystery 1); Clay Mills, West KY RECC (Mystery 2); Brent Johnson, Jackson Energy (Hurtman Rescue)
Apprentice: Cole Burns, Jackson Energy (Hurtman); Logan Davis, Jackson Purchase (Mystery 1, Mystery 2)
Team Events: Farmers Team 2 (Hurtman); Clark Team 3 (Mystery 1); Clark Team 4 (Mystery 2)
2025 Linemans Rodeo resultsDownload
Since 2005, the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo has grown to feature more than 100 individual competitors and dozens of teams. Beyond the competition, the event serves as a celebration of the skill, dedication, and safety culture of electric cooperative lineworkers.