- March 30, 2023
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Eric Duppenthaler has worked with Duke Energy for three-and-one-half-years and is based out of Winter Garden.
Hunter Finch, 3, took a turn on the slide that was set up at the Duke Energy Lineman’s Rodeo.
Hundreds of lineman from all across Florida competed at the Duke Energy Lineman’s Rodeo on Saturday, Feb. 25.
A climbing wall was set up for children to enjoy during the competition.
Eric Duppenthaler competes in a rescue drill during the competition. He’s a lineman apprentice based out of Winter Garden.
The day also included a barbecue competition where each team presented their barbecue to a panel of judges for a blind taste test.
The Ocala area was represented by teammates Derek Sconyers, Scott Hardy and Justin Watson.
Bryndon Barton, 9, got his face painted during the festivities. He attended the competition with his family in support of his uncle who competed with the Ocala Team.
Matt Prather, a groundsman with Duke Energy, begins climbing a telephone pole during competition. Prather is based out of Winter Garden.
The competitors competed in three different categories - a speed climb, a rescue climb and a mystery climb.
WINTER GARDEN Dozens of Duke Energy linemen and groundsmen from across Florida gathered at the company’s training complex in Winter Garden on Saturday, Feb. 25, to compete in the annual Duke Energy Lineman’s Rodeo. The competition kicked off around 7 a.m. and lasted throughout the morning.
Competitors were divided into two groups - lineman and lineman apprentice - based on their level of experience. The linemen apprentices competed individually while the linemen competed in teams of three. Both groups competed in three different categories - a speed climb carrying an uncooked egg to the top of a telephone pole and back down; a rescue climb to free a dummy trapped in the wires; and a mystery climb where they had to respond to a given scenario.
In addition to the lineman competition, teams participated in a barbecue competition. They each made their own signature barbecue dish which was judged in a blind taste test.
A play area for children was also set up during the competition, complete with a bounce house, a slide, a climbing rock wall and face painting.
By the end of the morning, judges deliberated over scores, judging the teams and individuals by their times and safety ratings. Three linemen apprentices and three linemen teams were selected as the winners and will advance to compete in the International Lineman’s Rodeo held October 11 to 14 in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Contact Brittany Gaines at [email protected]
