CoServ Journeyman team takes home 2 trophies from rodeo
There's no room for errors when your gaffs are dug into the wood 30 feet in the air. You’re climbing in your belt just feet away from high-voltage power lines. A rope, called a handline, sends equipment up and down the pole to the groundman.
This is where years of training and a safety-oriented mindset kicks in so CoServ can deliver reliable electricity and all the linemen can go home to their family every day.
CoServ’s Journeyman team consisting of James Anderegg, Dustin Bailey and Aaron Armstrong showcased their dedication to safety by finishing the 2024 Texas Lineman’s Rodeo events without a single “gig,” or error. The team finished fourth place overall in the Journeyman cooperatives division and fifth place overall Journeyman team out of all 49 entries.
Finishing all the events without a gig is a testament to the professionalism of CoServ’s linemen as well as the company’s dedication to training and safety.
“This trophy means a lot,” Aaron said. “We worked really hard for it. So many hot days practicing. We went gigless.”
The journeyman events were Hurt Man Rescue, where they safely rescue a mannequin from the top of the pole, the Egg Race, where they climb the pole without letting the egg break, and the switch replacement, and the insulator changeout.
“We got on a really good roll,” said Dustin, holding his daughter after the competition. “We started out on the
pole climb and did really good on that. We got on a gigless track and that lifted our spirits up.”
CoServ competitors agreed the insulator changeout was the hardest event. This required all work to be performed using hotsticks. These are insulated tools designed to be an extension of the hand and used to manipulate the energized conductor. The small wire securing the conductor to the insulator must be removed and the conductor transferred to a phase holder. The insulator is then replaced, and the process is reversed. This takes fine motor skills, as well as strength and conditioning.
“We’re used to our wires being real tight and today everything was loose so anytime you pushed on it, it gave,” said Chris Hammonds, Crew Supervisor and a member of CoServ’s Senior Team.
Wherever CoServ’s rodeo team went, their family – wives, children and parents – and fellow co-workers were never far behind. That included Linemen Mason Horton’s father, Ethan, a linemen for another utility who watched his son compete for the first time.
“It makes me want to show out, that’s for sure, but it also puts nerves on me because I want to look good for him and for CoServ,” said Mason, who competed on the Apprentice Team. “I enjoyed having him cheer me on and I won’t ever forget it.”
As the rodeo winded down just before noon, the smell of smoked meat tempted the linemen to the cooking competition area. CoServ had two cooking teams this year smoking whole chickens, pork ribs and brisket. It’s an all-night affair to maintain the fire.
Crew Supervisor Cramer Basham said he and his partner have been practicing different techniques for months preparing for the competition. More than anything, Cramer said he loves the camaraderie with his fellow CoServ Employees, seeing everyone enjoying his food after a hard day of competing keeps him going through the sleepless night.
“This is what I love about it,” he said.